Bad ads, lots of spending and the candidate who got off easy: post-primary observations

By: Dana Hess

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: July 8, 2026

Words: 908

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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The outcome of June’s Republican gubernatorial primary raised plenty of questions and provided few answers. When the dust settled, Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden were heading for a July 28 runoff and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and state Speaker of the House Jon Hansen were looking for work.

Among the questions raised by the outcome:

How does an early frontrunner end up finishing in third place?
How does a man …

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