MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The focus on Mitchell paid off for Governor Larry Rhoden on Tuesday night.
Not only did the state’s top politician cruise to an overall victory in the first-ever runoff election to become the GOP nominee for November, he dominated in Davison County. The South Dakota Secretary of State posted some eye-popping numbers. They show Rhoden getting 75% of the vote in Davison, compared to 25% for challenger Toby Doeden. Turnout was in line with the state number at nearly 36%. The final vote margin was 1,930 to 658.
In Hanson County, it was 355 to 168. Rhoden took home 68% of the vote with only 28.62% of registered voters casting a ballot.
With almost 91% of the vote counted as of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Rhoden held an insurmountable lead statewide:
Gov. Larry Rhoden…………………………………….83,076 (71%)
Toby Doeden……………………………………………34,205 (29%)
The Republican Governors Association put out a statement in support of Rhoden as the national party pivots towards the general election. It read, “As governor, Rhoden has kept South Dakota strong, safe, and free while securing property tax relief, supporting President Trump, and improving education. South Dakotans are ready to elect Governor Rhoden.”