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State Politics

Doeden's shortlist for South Dakota lieutenant governor takes shape

The Republican gubernatorial candidate is considering four well-known GOP figures as he prepares for next week's runoff election

Joe Sneve's avatar
Joe Sneve
Jul 25, 2026
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Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden is weighing four Republicans as potential running mates ahead of next week’s GOP gubernatorial runoff.

Doeden has not publicly named finalists in his search for a lieutenant governor candidate, but according to sources of The Dakota Scout, the political newcomer who made history as the top vote-getter in the June 2 primary has narrowed his shortlist to a former House speaker, a former congressional candidate, a veteran state government operative and a moderate leader in the South Dakota Legislature.

The revelation comes as Doeden, a first-time candidate for statewide office, enters the final days of a primary campaign that went from a four-candidate race to a head-to-head bout with second-place finisher Gov. Larry Rhoden when neither secured 35 percent of the vote.

And with the governor’s running mate long known — Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen — Doeden has faced growing pressure to reveal who he might choose to be a heartbeat away from the governor’s office.

Keep scrolling for a look at Doeden’s top contenders.

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