Regional Industry & News

High-turnout primary forces first-ever gubernatorial runoff between Doeden, Rhoden.For the first time in state history, a runoff is needed to decide the GOP nominee for governor.In late July, voters will decide between Toby Doeden and incumbent Larry Rhoden.Since 1985, South Dakota law has required a runoff between candidates in a race of three or more if nobody surpasses a 35% threshold.That applies to governor, U.S.House and U.S Senate.The law’s never been put to use until now.Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden led the state with the support 31% of GOP voters.Rhoden was next with 25%; U.S.Dusty Johnson followed with 23%; State Speaker of the House Jon Hansen pulled in 21%.The race saw one of the highest statewide turnouts in over a decade, over 34%.That's according to the Secretary of State's website.Because none of the candidates pulled in 35% on Tuesday, a runoff is triggered.“I kind of feel like that proverbial groundhog who came up and saw my shadow and now there’s going to be eight more weeks of campaigning,” incumbent Gov.Larry Rhoden told supporters at an election night watch party in Rapid City.Polls throughout the campaign indicated it would be a tight race, with none showing a candidate above the necessary threshold.Incumbent Rhoden took the reins as governor after former Gov.Kristi Noem accepted a job in President Donald Trump’s cabinet as the head of the Department of Homeland Security.That elevated then-Lt.Rhoden to the job, where he’ll remain in power through the year.It also opened the door to a heated primary race this year.And someone took advantage of that opening in the primary — self-proclaimed political outsider, Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden.“The career politicians were trying to spin an outsider can’t get involved and win at the highest level in South Dakota politics,” Doeden said.“And guess what, I said we’re going to prove them wrong and that’s exactly what we’re doing.” Doeden’s never ran for a political office but has dabbled in state politics through the political action committee, or PAC, Dakota First Action.He received over 7,000 more votes than the next candidate.Doeden campaigned largely on a pro-President Doanld Trump platform.That’s also something Doeden has used against candidates, calling them not supportive enough of Trump.Doeden told reporters that the “political movement” wasn’t a result of his own actions, instead calling it a result of voters frustrated with politicians.“They are the ones driving this huge political movement.It’s not Toby Doeden.It’s not my team.It’s not my family,” Doeden said.“It’s the amazing people in South Dakota that have been disenfranchised and forgotten about.I am giving them a voice.” He’s referring to voters like Amanda Larson.She said her support is because he’s “for the people not the power.” She also pointed to an issue that’s dominated political conversations: property taxes, something Doeden’s pledged to phase out.“I’ve been a homeowner for 15 years now and my taxes used to be really affordable, and now it’s insane,” Larson said.“And there’s people that can’t even buy a house right now because of taxes.” Doeden’s drawn criticism for the idea, especially for not entirely laying out his plan to make it feasible.Larson said it’s not something that’s worried her.“Maybe he hasn’t laid out that whole roadmap, but what politician has right?I mean a lot of them don’t layout their whole road map [of issues].So, it’s the trust of it’s somebody that isn’t your average politician like some of the other candidates who are running.They might be wonderful people outside of politics, right?But what have they done in the past?And they’ve been in political positions,” Larson said.“For me it’s the trust of somebody new with fresh ideas who is coming into this that seems like he’s going to try to get it done, and that’s all we can hope for?So, why not get somebody new that’s not a politician.” Doeden told supporters at a watch party that he wasn’t worried about a runoff against any candidate and also took time to throw jabs at what many considered the leader in the race.“Dusty started a smear campaign against me 15 months ago, and I’ve gotta tell you, it feels pretty good knowing I’m going to end his political career,” Doeden said, followed by cheers from supporters.SDPB asked Johnson if he had a response to the comments.“Toby’s got a combative personality.I think he likes to view things as kind of a battle of light vs.Dark,” Johnson said.“And this is going to be a big change and a little bit of a difference in worldview and contrast.” Johnson said his view of the governorship and campaign was not looking to “destroy Toby Doeden” but instead working to “bring people together…and build South Dakota.” Those remarks came prior to the final results.While Johnson was considered the frontrunner by many, he fell short in some key areas.His support in Sioux Falls, the state’s largest city, trailed Doeden and was slightly ahead of candidate Jon Hansen.Johnson’s term in Congress ends in January.Rhoden’s camp remained confident throughout election night that he would be in a position for the runoff.Rhoden told SDPB his campaign stands for building bridges.“You know, I have what we need right now in our state and that’s the ability to bring people together.We’ve talked many times about I’ve made civility, openness, responsiveness the cornerstones of my administration,” Rhoden said.“And I think that’s what we need right now.It’s not people that divide.It’s not people that polarize, but people that can bring all sides together and look for solutions for the betterment of South Dakota.” Rhoden’s campaign was built on what he calls “results,” such as the passage of a new men’s prison in Sioux Falls for $650 million.He also touted recent legislation that lowers property taxes in exchange for optional sales tax increases at the county and municipal levels.Rhoden said his campaign is prepared financially for the runoff against Doeden.“We finished pretty strongly.Did a lot better in the last, the closing weeks.You look at the campaign finance reports, and we outperformed the other three candidates very dramatically in the closing weeks of the last campaign,” Rhoden said.“So, I think we’ll be in fine shape to be able to present our message and move forward through this interim campaign.” It’s unclear Doeden’s financial strategy for a runoff election.His self-funded campaign has been built on millions of dollars in loans to his campaign committee.The extended campaign in general will add major expenses to what’s likely been the most expensive gubernatorial primary campaign in state history.It comes alongside legislative primaries that saw over $2.75 million of fundraising, according to an SDPB analysis of pre-primary and supplemental filings, poured into competitive state Republican races.The fourth candidate in the race, state Speaker of the House Jon Hansen, finished last in the polls.His campaign was built on a grassroots, property rights movement.He largely drew in farmers and ranchers who opposed opponents of proposed carbon pipeline in the state that attempted to use eminent domain.SDPB was not able to reach Hansen the night of the election.Amanda Radke is a Hansen supporter and farmer and rancher from the Mitchell area.She’s also been at the forefront of the state’s grassroots property rights movement.She said she’s remaining positive despite Hansen not advancing to the runoff.“My message to those folks is don’t give up hope, don’t give up heart because if there’s anything I know about farmers and ranchers is we don’t have quit in our bones,” Radke said.“And win, lose or draw on any of these races, my message to Pierre is we’re not going anywhere.” The runoff is set for July 28.The winner of that race faces Democrat Dan Ahlers, who was unopposed this primary, in the November General election.It’s important to note a new crop of voters could impact this Republican primary race.State law allows a vote