South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden fends off challenger in GOP primary runoff

NBC News projects that Rhoden, who replaced Kristi Noem last year, defeated businessman Toby Doeden to win the Republican nomination for governor.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has won his Republican primary, NBC News projects, after he was forced into a runoff in his bid for a full term in office.

He defeated businessman and political newcomer Toby Doeden in a one-on-one matchup Tuesday after no candidate won 35% of the vote in the initial June primary.

Rhoden will face off in the November general election against Democrat Dan Ahlers, a former state senator, in the solidly red state. South Dakota has not had a Democratic governor since the 1970s, and its two U.S. senators and lone House member are all Republicans.

Rhoden previously was lieutenant governor and was elevated to the top job after President Donald Trump selected then-Gov. Kristi Noem to be homeland security secretary. (She was fired this year.) Now, Rhoden aims to secure his first full term as governor.

Businessman Toby Doeden emerged from the initial June primary with the most support. Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via ImagnDoeden won about 31% of the vote in the June primary, while Rhoden took about 25%. Rep. Dusty Johnson and state House Speaker Jon Hansen also sought the nomination, but neither received enough support to advance to the runoff.