On July 28, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden (R) won the state’s first-ever primary runoff to win a full term as governor. He defeated car dealer Toby Doeden (R) 72% to 28%. Rhoden became governor in 2025 after Gov. Kristi Noem (R) resigned to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.
Rhoden’s victory makes him the first governor of South Dakota to win the primary for a full term in office after assuming office to complete a term. The last governor to ascend to the office was Walter Dale Miller (R), who became governor of South Dakota in 1993 upon the death of George Mickelson (R). Miller ran for a full term in 1994 and lost to former Gov. Bill Janklow (R) in the Republican primary 54% to 46%.
