St. Peter’s Community Center, in Jefferson, served as a voting location on July 28, 2026 for South Dakota’s first ever governor runoff. From left Kellye Dailey, Ron Kistner, and Mary Lou Olson were poll workers at this site. Photo by Kelly Riibe • times2reporter@gmail.com

Gov. Larry Rhoden has won the Republican primary runoff for governor, overcoming Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden in Tuesday’s historic election to secure the GOP nomination for South Dakota’s highest office.

With complete statewide precincts reporting late Tuesday evening, Rhoden held a commanding 72% to 28% lead over Doeden, garnering 11,330 votes to Doeden’s 4,328 votes. The decisive victory cap…