Trump Endorsed
Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
18.4%
27.4%
24.7%
13.1%
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
$1.3M
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.comfoxnews.comthedakotascout.comnbcnews.comkeloland.comdakotanewsnow.comgowatertown.netemersoncollegepolling.comaberdeennews.comfacebook.compredictionedge.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 16, 2026
Toby Doeden is in the news because he finished first in South Dakota’s Republican governor primary with about 31% of the vote, forcing a runoff on July 28 against Gov. Larry Rhoden. He has also publicly criticized the state’s runoff law after falling short of the 35% threshold needed to win outright. The runoff will decide the GOP nominee for the 2026 governor race.
tobydoeden.com+52
Articles
ANAberdeen News3 days ago
Take a look at Gov. Larry Rhoden's record and finances
Neutral
SFSioux Falls Argus Leader1 month ago
Candidate condemns ‘whoever’ approved a runoff law, and it turns out to be a legend from his city
Neutral
SFSioux Falls Argus Leader2 months ago
Doeden and Rhoden advance to runoff in Republican governor primary, Johnson falls to third
Positive
ANAberdeen News2 months ago
Toby Doeden forces runoff against Gov. Larry Rhoden
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?
Donald Trump
Public figure
Donald Trump endorsed Toby Doeden in the South Dakota Republican gubernatorial primary runoff.
Bob Russell
Public figure
Bob Russell endorsed Toby Doeden in the South Dakota Republican gubernatorial runoff.
Stace Nelson Haugaard
Public figure
Stace Nelson Haugaard endorsed Toby Doeden in the South Dakota Republican gubernatorial runoff.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising