(Tim Mikkels)-The July 28th gubernatorial runoff is fast approaching, set up by the June 2nd primary that left Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden and Toby Doeden as the final two candidates standing.
Since the primary, the South Dakota Republican establishment has predictably fallen into line behind Rhoden. It is a poorly kept secret that Congressman Dusty Johnson is working behind the scenes to bolster Rhoden’s campaign, and Jon Hansen’s supporters have largely migrated to the Rhoden camp—even though many of those same voters previously insisted that Pierre desperately needed change. Just today, newly elected Sioux Falls Mayor Christine Erickson threw her endorsement behind Rhoden, despite Doeden having supported her during her own mayoral runoff.
Money, as usual, is telling its own story. KELOLAND News reports that Rhoden has raised $1.88 million during this runoff period alone. While Doeden did not respond to queries regarding his exact total expenditure, he remains outspoken about his funding structure:
“I have financed 99% of this campaign with my own money, including the runoff. I have rejected any PAC donations, contributions from special interest groups, and lobbyists,” Doeden said. “Our campaign finance system is entirely corrupt. Combined, we have watched Dusty Johnson and Larry Rhoden, along with their donors, spend nearly $15 million attempting to buy this election. It is, frankly, disgusting. I committed to spend whatever it takes to protect this state from the special interest groups trying to destroy it, and I will continue to do just that between now and July 28th.”
Full disclosure: I was an early supporter of Larry Rhoden. However, just two days before the primary, my wife and I decided to vote for Doeden after hearing him speak at the Sanford Barn on the Sunday before the election. Around that same time, many of my friends and colleagues made the exact same pivot.
In recent weeks, however, many of those same friends have swung back toward Rhoden for the runoff. Some took a closer look under the hood and realized Doeden lacks a concrete plan to actually eliminate property taxes—one of the foundational promises of his platform. Others, including a well-known South Dakota public figure, felt burned after Doeden’s campaign reached out, made specific assurances, and then ghosted him.
As of today, I am still on the fence. My heart leans toward Toby, but my head tells me—and my political instincts haven’t been wrong yet—that Rhoden will win this runoff in a landslide.
To be clear, Larry Rhoden is not a bad guy. But he is unequivocally part of the Pierre establishment. Most people simply resist change, and Pierre has been run by the same rotation of “Republicans” for nearly 50 years—essentially since my late friend Dick Kneip stepped down to become Ambassador to Singapore.
At the same time, some of the attacks being hurled at Rhoden are groundless. Figures like former Rapid City TV anchor Shad Olson might want to clean up their own backyards before throwing mud; a quick Google search reveals his own public issues are well documented. (https://www.kotatv.com/2025/07/04/former-rapid-city-news-anchor-receives-suspended-imposition-sentence)
So, where does that leave us?
If you favor business as usual—which isn’t necessarily bad on the surface, until you look at how the sausage is made with all the “good ol’ boy” deals and nepotism in Pierre—then Larry is your candidate.
If you believe Pierre genuinely needs a shake-up, a fat-cat car dealer from Aberdeen who self-funds his campaign and pledges to forgo a gubernatorial salary might be a gamble worth taking for four years. I mean, how much damage could he really do? What secrets and financial paper trails might he uncover?
I know… I’m thinking the exact same thing.
