Runoff rules, June Republican convention

Greetings, 

We’re in the first ever, since Nov. 2, 1889, gubernatorial republican primary election runoff. State law says in the governor’s race, one must have to exceed 35 percent to win the primary, and then be placed on the ballot in the general election in November. 

On June 2, in the primary election, Toby Doeden received 31 percent, Larry Rhoden 25 percent, Congressman Dusty Johnson 23 percent and Rep. Jon Hansen 21 percent. Because none of the candidates received 35 percent of the vote, there is a runoff election for the top two vote getters, Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden. 

Early voting starts six weeks before the election, so that is taking place now. For early voting, you go to your county courthouse. Only on Election Day do you go to your usual location.

So, when is the election for the governor runoff? Tuesday, July 28. In that election, it is decided by the most votes, even if it’s only one vote, that the candidate is declared the winner of the republican primary election, and he will be placed on the November ballot. The candidate will run against the democrat nominee, former Rep. Dan Ahlers from Dell Rapids. 

Switching to the Republican convention that is June 25-27 in Rapid City. At this convention, delegates pick the constitutional officers from the Republican Party to, again, be placed on the general election ballot Nov. 3.

The exception is that the governor candidate picks his or her lieutenant governor. The legislature passed a law during the 2025 session, that I prime-sponsored in the House, that allows the governor to pick their lieutenant governor to be on the ballot with them. It’s set up the same way our president picks his/her vice president. The two of them run as a team. Of course, Gov. Rhoden already has chosen his, Lt. Gov. Tony VenHuizen, but governor candidate Doeden hasn’t announced his running mate yet.

At the state convention, the delegates pick the republican candidates to be placed on the November general election ballot for the following constitutional officers: Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary of State and one of the three Public Utilities Commissioners is going to be elected this year. 

The election for these positions is Saturday, June 27. Marcia and I are delegates/committeeman and committeewoman for the Keystone Precinct in which we vote.

Next week, I’ll write regarding the results of the convention.