Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
18.4%
27.4%
24.7%
13.1%
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
$1.0M
JUL 29, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusiness executive
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationSouth Dakota
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BackgroundBusiness executive
Notable personal detailsToby Doeden is a South Dakota businessman based in Aberdeen and a Republican candidate for governor in the 2026 election cycle. He is associated with the Aberdeen Chrysler Center and the Doeden Investment Group, and has been active in conservative politics through the Dakota First Action PAC. He is married to Elizabeth Doeden and has four children.
SourcesShowHide
tobydoeden.comaberdeenchrysler.comsouthdakotasearchlight.comsdnewswatch.orgdakotafirst.orgen.wikipedia.orgbrookingsregister.comcbsnews.comdakotafreepress.comsensiblesouthdakota.orgkwit.orgsdpb.orgnews-usa.todaysdsos.govreddit.comcdn4.creativecirclemedia.comsdcfr.sdsos.gov270towin.comsiouxfallslive.comyahoo.comdakotanewsnetwork.comkotatv.comwrenews.comrsvp.tobydoeden.comdakotawarcollege.commedifind.comx.comthedakotascout.comnbcnews.comkeloland.comdakotanewsnow.comaberdeeninsider.comfacebook.comnewsfromthestates.comballotready.orgrounds.senate.govcongress.govdata.ballotpedia.orgdustyjohnson.house.govwikidata.orgfinance.senate.govhoeven.senate.govhistory.house.govjudiciary.senate.govcdn.ballotpedia.orggovinfo.govepw.senate.govnga.orgncsl.orgfec.govclerk.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Advocates eliminating property taxes statewide, reducing the size of state government and spending, and preserving/codifying South Dakota sales-tax measures while proposing alternative consumption-based revenue sources to replace property tax revenue.
Immigration & Border
Supports aggressive enforcement measures against undocumented immigrants, including accelerating arrests and deportations; emphasizes combating illegal immigration and border security.
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Climate & Energy
The candidate emphasizes free‑market energy and economic policy, opposes large state subsidies or corporate welfare for energy projects, and has supported political efforts skeptical of major carbon‑capture pipeline projects. Policy statements focus on limiting government incentives and promoting a business climate without special favors rather than endorsing aggressive emissions regulations or expansive clean‑energy mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate expresses strong support for the Second Amendment and says he will stand up for the right to bear arms. He emphasizes prioritizing public safety by supporting law enforcement and upholding law and order, without proposing new gun-restrictive measures on his issues pages.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 4, 2026
Toby Doeden has advanced to the South Dakota Republican gubernatorial runoff after finishing first in the June 2 primary with 31% of the vote. Because no candidate reached the 35% threshold, he will face Gov. Larry Rhoden in the July 28 runoff for the party nomination. Doeden has also publicly criticized the runoff law after falling short of an outright win.
tobydoeden.com+50
Articles
SFSioux Falls Argus Leader23 days ago
Candidate condemns ‘whoever’ approved a runoff law, and it turns out to be a legend from his city
Neutral
SFSioux Falls Argus Leader1 month ago
Doeden and Rhoden advance to runoff in Republican governor primary, Johnson falls to third
Positive
ANAberdeen News1 month ago
Toby Doeden forces runoff against Gov. Larry Rhoden
Positive
UTUSA TODAY1 month ago
South Dakota primary election results for House, Senate races
Positive
Polls
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Toby Doeden for South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Turning Point Action
Elected official
Turning Point Action endorsed Toby Doeden for South Dakota governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising