MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Mitchell is quickly becoming a key stop in the unprecedented runoff election to crown a GOP nominee for November’s gubernatorial election.
Davison County was carried by Dusty Johnson in June’s primary, which means that the runoff candidates, Governor Larry Rhoden and Toby Doeden, are now lobbying hard to win over voters from the area. Rhoden and Doeden were both in the Corn Palace Stampede Parade last Saturday. The Governor also made an appearance that night in the Crow’s Nest at the rodeo grounds.
Gov. Rhoden will be back in town on Saturday, doing a meet and greet at the Mitchell Pizza Hut. The appearance will start at 1:30 p.m. and run between an hour and 90 minutes. Wrapped around that, the campaign and restaurant are teaming up to host a Governors Buffet between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Pizza, breadsticks, cinnamon sticks, a salad bar, boneless wings, and triple cheese macaroni will all be on the menu for a low price.
The runoff election, South Dakota’s first ever, was triggered when none of the four Republican candidates for governor reached the 35% threshold in the June primary. The top two vote getters advanced and will learn their fate on Tuesday night.