Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
18.4%
27.4%
24.7%
13.1%
Republican
Toby Doeden
Republican candidate for Governor in South Dakota
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
$1.8M
JUL 29, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.1%chance to win
$1.8MJUL 29, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleBusinessman
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationSouth Dakota
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BackgroundBusinessman
Notable personal detailsToby Doeden is a South Dakota businessman and Republican candidate for governor in 2026. He has worked in the auto dealership industry for decades and became general manager of Aberdeen Chrysler Center in 2011. He is married to Elizabeth Doeden and they have four children.
SourcesShowHide
tobydoeden.comaberdeenchrysler.comsdsos.govsdnewswatch.orgsensiblesouthdakota.orgtpaction.comsdcfr.sdsos.govnewsfromthestates.comktiv.comdoedendodos.comen.wikipedia.orgballotpedia.s3.amazonaws.comreddit.comsiouxfalls.com270towin.comsiouxfallsdevelopment.comsdpb.orgsiouxfallslive.comsouthdakotasearchlight.comyahoo.comdakotafirst.orgdakotanewsnetwork.comkotatv.comwrenews.comrsvp.tobydoeden.comdakotawarcollege.commedifind.comdakotabroadcasting.comdakotafreepress.comfoxnews.comfacebook.comballotpedia.orgx.comdakotanewsnow.comkeloland.comthedakotascout.comnbcnews.comaberdeennews.comcbsnews.comsdstandardnow.comballotready.orggovinfo.govhistory.house.govdocquery.fec.govjudiciary.senate.govhsgac.senate.govwikidata.orgblumenthal.senate.govthune.senate.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgnga.orgfec.govpressphotographers.senate.gov
Political 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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 29, 2026
Toby Doeden lost South Dakota’s Republican gubernatorial runoff to Gov. Larry Rhoden after leading the primary earlier in the race. The runoff was triggered because no candidate cleared the 35% threshold in the June primary, and Doeden had criticized the runoff law after falling short. He had advanced to the runoff as the early primary leader with about 31% of the vote, but could not expand his support enough to win the nomination.
tobydoeden.com+52
Articles
WEWashington Examiner28 days ago
Gov. Larry Rhoden wins South Dakota gubernatorial GOP primary runoff
Negative
ANAberdeen News29 days ago
Path to historic South Dakota governor runoff, polls open July 28
Positive
ANAberdeen News1 month ago
Take a look at Gov. Larry Rhoden's record and finances
Neutral
SFSioux Falls Argus Leader3 months ago
Candidate condemns ‘whoever’ approved a runoff law, and it turns out to be a legend from his city
Neutral
Latest Polls
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Toby Doeden currently averages 18.4%, ranking third in this race, 6.3 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 18.4%Position: thirdMargin: -6.3 ptsLatest poll: 23.6% (May 26 - 27)Polls included: 9
Average recalculated from polls through May 26 - 27.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising