Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 3
South Dakota GOP Governor Primary Tightens With Top 4 Within 4 Points, Below 35% Runoff Mark
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 3

South Dakota GOP Governor Primary Tightens With Top 4 Within 4 Points, Below 35% Runoff Mark

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 3
  • Meeting Street’s May 18-20 poll put Larry Rhoden at 23%, Toby Doeden at 22%, Jon Hansen at 21% and Dusty Johnson at 19%, leaving the top four separated by just 4 points.
  • No candidate has cleared the 35% threshold needed to avoid a July runoff, though Johnson came closest in earlier surveys at 34% and 33%.
  • KELO-Emerson polling showed Doeden gaining 8 points from early March to mid-May while Johnson lost 5, with Rhoden and Hansen holding roughly steady.
  • The volatility reflects a fluid electorate: more than 10% of voters remain undecided, Rhoden faces soft approval ratings, and the race includes Doeden’s $4 million self-funded outsider bid.
Which candidate's distinct leadership background is best suited to guide South Dakota's next chapter?
With polls too close to call, what will sway undecided voters to avoid a costly runoff election?
How will competing visions for the state's economy, from defense to tax cuts, shape its future?