My Facebook feed tonight seems to have different videos from Toby Doeden’s campaign where he’s continuing to crow about his win last Tuesday. Specifically when it comes to Congressman Dusty Johnson placing a close third in the contest.
The videos (plural) have Doeden lamenting over his treatment by “the political establishment attacking him ruthlessly.”
Is my memory getting foggy, or is this the same person who wasn’t much of a stranger to his own attacks..
“It’s going to become abundantly clear that there are two choices in June: light versus dark, good versus evil,” Doeden said. “I’m light; I’m good. Dusty’s dark; Dusty’s evil. Those are going to be the two choices.”
That was June. June 2025.
Somehow, I don’t think the guy living in the glass house with a basketball court should be still casting stones a week after the first vote if he entertains any notions that he can win over Dusty voters for the second one.
If anything, I would think Toby would consider drilling down on more of the “why people should vote for him,” as opposed to “why they shouldn’t vote for the other guy.”
Winnowing down the number of candidates we were faced with from 4 to 2 might mean that people are going to drill down on policy differences more than they had an opportunity to in the first vote.
It has also been a long primary cycle with the intensity of the negative campaigning, which people were already getting weary of. Still going negative against the people he beat doesn’t seem to be moving the ball down the field in his next contest against Governor Rhoden.
Yes, Toby won last Tuesday. But he should pause the celebration over winning the first heat in his race, and focus on the finals of the primary.
When are Americans going to reject idiotic narcisstic trump and his minions like doeden?
If he somehow wins the runoff, I’m voting democrat. Dan Ahlers will do more for the state than this blow hard fake Republican.
The Doeden campaign seems determined to learn all the wrong lessons from the Hansen campaign. Hansen proved you can have an enthusiastic base, packed events, and social media warriors everywhere—and still lose because voters outside your bubble aren’t buying what you’re selling (i.e. taxpayer funded scholarships to Private School families on Day 1)
Doeden’s Day One promise of a South Dakota DOGE, with John “California” Carley helping name/shape it, he said this at a presser, feels like another example of preaching to the choir. Carley couldn’t win his own race against a first time candidate who really didn’t campaign that hard, yet we’re supposed to believe he’s the architect of government reform?
Then there’s the possibility of primary losers finding their way into a future cabinet. Nothing screams “drain the swamp” quite like recycling candidates voters already rejected.
Meanwhile, the rats abandoning ship from every corner of South Dakota politics seem convinced Toby’s ark is the last boat leaving the dock. The problem is that endorsements don’t equal votes, and campaign echo chambers don’t win statewide elections.
For a candidate who may have the inside track, there’s a surprising amount of confidence being placed in strategies that have already failed once.
Winning your base is the easy part. Alienating the voters you still need and assuming they’ll come around anyway is pure hubris.
Shhh
Well written!
“I’m light; I’m good. Dusty’s dark; Dusty’s evil.” Doeden said.
California will be done counting votes before I believe a thing that guy says.
I can hear ‘publican butt holes tightening over the thought of a Doeden victory
You win the comment of the week 😂😂😂
a doeden run off victory puts Dan Ahlers in the governor’s chair.
Their are opportunities with that scenario. A clean break from the Noem administration consumed with non-stop scandals. Ahlers is fairly moderate, a safe bet and would work towards finding common ground for the greater good of the state. Divided government is healthier for check and balances. With an expected clear majority of SDGOP legislators possibly super majority they will keep the executive branch power limited. Remember many seats were left uncontested by the SDDP.
I see Doeden as the Destroyer harbinger of chaos and a new level of grift in government.
There*
Democrats and Independents do not believe this to be true. Many that i know are changing voter registration to R in order to vote for Rhoden in the runoff.
🖐️ I don’t trust SD to choose a moderate Democrat over a crazy Republican so I’m registering for primary vote for Rhoden, even if it means more Ian.
I’m not sure how that undermines his point.
It may be because, just like his daddy, he can’t let grievances go. If he wins we will still be hearing in 2030 about how the establishment has always been against him and evil Dusty and blah blah blah.
Just like how we’re still seeing hissy fits and tantrums and lies about stolen elections.
*Doeden behaves as he always behaves*
DWC: anyone notice the spots on this leopard? Why doesn’t he go with stripes?
My vote will count twice. A “NO” vote for Dopeden and a “YES” vote for any democrat.
Noticed 4 X 8 Doeden signs popping up with Save South Dakota.
Save from who?
Save from what?
Save South Dakota FROM Toby Doeden? We agree!
Aberdonian Tony “Tubes” Zerr’s facebook page has been like a central hub for many locals to air their Doeden stories.
Tony must have been boinking one of the ‘ballerinas” that got let go
It’s still a great day in South Dakota that third place Dusty will not be our governor. Anybody but lieing Dusty. Not even Washington could buy the governorship for him.
point to the place on this sock monkey where dusty hurt you
Relentlessly? What did I miss because I feel he got a super pass during the primary. His deceptive flyers should’ve been central to attack ads.
Doeden is a snake oil salesman making promises he can’t keep. He’s a Trump wannabe… Doeden – you ain’t got it! And you sure ain’t got my vote!!!