Johnson endorsement in Rhoden-Doeden in South Dakota GOP governor's race unlikely

Former frontrunner says he’ll support whichever Republican wins nomination in July runoff; blames late campaign attacks, shifting GOP politics for primary defeat

Congressman Dusty Johnson discussed his gubernatorial campaign and the June 2 primary election results with Joe Sneve of The Dakota Scout on Thursday, June. 18, in downtown Sioux Falls. (Jay Pickthorn / For The Dakota Scout)

CLARIFICATION: The headline in an earlier version of this article did not clearly state that Congressman Johnson left the door open for a potential endorsement ahead of the runoff. The Dakota Scout strives for fairness and accuracy.

South Dakota’s lone Congressman Dusty Johnson isn’t likely to endorse either of the two remaining candidates in the state’s GOP primary for governor.

But the third-place finisher in the four-way Republican June 2 contest that advanced Gov. Larry Rhoden and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden to a head-to-head runoff election next month told The Dakota Scout this week that he will support whichever Republican emerges as the party’s nominee on the November ballot.