Elbows flying early in South Dakota governor’s race
GOP primary intensifies amid allegations of bullying, bribery and arm-twisting
He’s been accused of trying to spend his way into office.
Now Toby Doeden is turning the tables on his chief rival in the race to become South Dakota’s next governor, claiming U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson is maneuvering to keep Gov. Larry Rhoden out of the contest.
The Aberdeen businessman alleged this week that the congressman — also seeking the Republican nomination in the 2026 gubernatorial primary — and “D.C. insiders” operating in his interests are working to pay the governor not to enter the race.
The unsubstantiated accusation, made in a social media post Tuesday and amplified through a paid Facebook ad, underscores the intensity of the high-profile clashing of candidates in an election still nine months away; also signaling South Dakota could be headed for its most combative gubernatorial battle in decades.
