Populist pull: Governor hopefuls balance rebellion, party unity
Toby Doeden’s bid for governor pits him against fellow conservative Jon Hansen in a high-stakes battle for control of South Dakota’s populist right
ABERDEEN — The drone of a zero-turn mower hummed through the smoky haze of a late May afternoon as Toby Doeden cut lines into the yard of his sprawling estate on the outskirts of Aberdeen. The air, tinged by wildfire smoke from Canada and a crowd gathering up the road ahead of his entry in the 2026 gubernatorial race, did little to deter him.
“It has to get done,” Doeden said, pausing to talk with The Dakota Scout just hours before he would step into the political spotlight and announce his candidacy for governor.
