SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Republican voters decide Tuesday who will represent the party in the November general election.
Gov. Larry Rhoden and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden are the two candidates in the runoff election. This is the first runoff in state history since the 35% requirement for the primary election was approved by the legislature in 1985. Neither Doeden, Rhoden or candidates U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and state Rep. Jon Hansen received 35% of the vote in the June 2 primary. Rhoden and Doeden were the top two finishers so they advanced to the runoff.
Property tax reform is a cornerstone of Doeden’s campaign. “We can’t eliminate $1.8 billion of the property taxes overnight. Anybody that would suggest I ever said that is just flat out lying. So let’s just get that misnomer out of the way. So what I want to do is massive property tax reform,” Doeden said in a recent interview with KELOLAND News.
Doeden further explained his tax plan by saying “So on day one, I am going to lead the push to over the next period of years, starting with my first four years reforming property taxes to make the system more fair and more just for the residents that live here. So the folks that own homes can afford to keep them, and the youngsters that want to buy their first home can afford to buy their first home. That is my priority.”
And, “If we can do $100 million a year, great. If we can do $300 million in year two, $200 million in year three,” Doeden said. “The point is, let’s start getting the ball moving in a more fair and more just direction, right?”
Rhoden has been accused by opposition as increasing taxes through sales tax increases or installing a tax shift in at least two pieces of legislation passed this year.
Rhoden said “It’s a two-part plan. The reduction, first of all, it was the local option with the house that, you know, the counties can opt for a half cent, sales tax, which would go to a property tax reduction fund. The other half of the equation is statewide relief. And that uses the point three percent of sales tax that’s going back on this year. And so, that’s not a tax shift. That was slated when the legislature reduced that tax.”
Doeden does not really have a property tax plan, Rhoden said to KELOLAND News.
Rhoden has highlighted his experience as an advantage.
“Well, my message has always been that the one the most significant thing advantage I have over any of the candidates now, with the one is I’m a proven leader and two years ago, two sessions ago, I made the commitment that I would operate with the pillars of openness, responsiveness and civility,” Rhoden said.
The Republican candidates foresee different issues as the biggest of the upcoming legislative session.
“You never know what the priorities are going to be, other than the budget,” Rhoden said. “And that’ll be first and foremost.”
“The biggest issue, number one, is going to be to reunite our amazing Republican Party, from one side to the other,” Doeden said. “That is the number one priority. And it’s not even close for me.”
