Doeden, Hansen take campaign hopes to South Dakota highways
Gubernatorial candidates vow to bring message to GOP voters across South Dakota ahead of 2026 primary
In South Dakota, where retail politics still reigns, statewide candidates with any hope of success often log tens of thousands of miles shaking hands in towns both big and small.
And in the early stages of the 2026 race for governor, Republican contenders Toby Doeden and Jon Hansen are leaning into that tradition — with a twist of comfort and plenty of campaign branding.
Doeden, a businessman from Aberdeen, hit the road this month on a 70-stop statewide bus tour, rolling through communities in a full-size touring coach wrapped in campaign decals that leave little doubt who's onboard.
“We will travel every single road, and visit every single solitary community in South Dakota,” Doeden said at his campaign kickoff last month in Aberdeen, promising to stay on the road with his family through the end of summer. “While career politicians are busy raising money and coddling lobbyists, I will be shaking the hands of each and every patriot in this state.”
Not to be outdone, Hansen, a state lawmaker from Dell Rapids and the current House speaker, is launching his own tour — shoving off from his hometown of Dell Rapids on Friday for a private property rights “victory party” in Aberdeen, right in Doeden’s backyard.
Like Doeden, Hansen is putting his travel time to good use, outfitting a recreational vehicle that will serve both as a rolling billboard and a family-friendly campaign vehicle.
“More than the obvious benefit of having a moving campaign billboard crisscrossing the state, as a family with six young kids, we like to stick together, and this gives us that opportunity as we campaign across the state,” Hansen told The Dakota Scout. “My wife Sheila and our children are such a big part of who I am, and I hope this gives the people a better chance to get to know them too.”
Hansen says he plans to visit every county in South Dakota before the June 2026 Republican primary.
Nice bus—Toby has the resting bitch face down pat. He just looks so pissed, the sneering condescension, very approachable if you’re thinking of saying anything critical and just want to get punched in the face.
Keep driving Mr. Doeden. We've seen this act before.