Where backers of losing campaigns are shifting support ahead of South Dakota’s governor runoff

By: Joshua Haiar, Makenzie Huber

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: June 5, 2026

Words: 1,259

Last Updated: 6 days, 7 hours ago

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Political newcomer Toby Doeden topped the primary field for South Dakota’s Republican gubernatorial nomination Tuesday, but political insiders say he’s alienated some of his opponents’ supporters by targeting the losing candidates as “career politicians.”

Gov. Larry Rhoden’s campaign, meanwhile, ran an ad late in the campaign calling one of those now-eliminated candidates, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, a “Washington politician” who “questions South Dakota’s record.”

To win a majority of votes and their party’s nomination …

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