Gov. Larry Rhoden wins GOP nod in South Dakota governor's race
Governor cruises to runoff victory over Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden; Republican nominee advances to general election against Democrat Dan Ahlers
Gov. Larry Rhoden emerged as the Republican nominee for governor Tuesday following a first-in-state history runoff election.
“Man, what a night and what a crowd,” Rhoden told his supporters at the Canopy Hotel in downtown Sioux Falls at around 9:15 p.m.
Rhoden will face former Democratic lawmaker Dan Ahlers of Dell Rapids in the November election after toppling Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden by what’s expected to be a two-digit margin.
Minutes after the final polls in western South Dakota closed Tuesday evening after the state’s first-ever runoff election in a statewide primary, the Union Center rancher had more than 71 percent of the ballots counted, while his opponent, Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden, had received 29 percent.
