Toby Doeden, a self-made businessman from Aberdeen, led the four-candidate Republican primary for South Dakota governor on June 2 with approximately 31 percent of the vote. He massively outperformed incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, and state House Speaker Jon Hansen, none of whom reached the 35 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff.

Doeden secured wins in Minnehaha County, home to Sioux Falls, and Pennington County, home to Rapid City. Those victories in the state's most populous counties highlighted his broad appeal among Republican voters seeking change.

Doeden built his career in South Dakota after graduating from Groton High School in 1993. He has a vast array of investments and businesses in northeast South Dakota.

The primary featured intense competition from three entrenched figures. Rhoden ascended to the governorship after Kristi Noem joined the Trump administration. Johnson serves as a sitting U.S. representative, while Hansen holds the post of state House speaker. Doeden positioned his campaign against what he called career politicians, emphasizing plans to phase out property taxes, reduce government spending, and address border security and crime.

His strong performance leaves him positioned as the frontrunner heading into the July runoff against Rhoden. The results reflect voter frustration with the state's political class despite its long Republican dominance.