I’m watching Toby Doeden’s 9PM concession speech where he said that “I promised to unite the Republican Party.” Well, I guess he did unite us, as Republicans united pretty strongly against him as he got whooped on a 70-30% basis (to this point).
Doeden never was able to move past his original 30%, and I think the die was cast when he declared on election night in June “I ended Dusty Johnson’s political career,” guaranteeing that he would not receive any of those votes.
Nobody likes a sore winner, and Doeden never seemed to want to unite Republicans from any portion of other factions behind him, despite giving it lip service. Although one or two former Hansen sycophants couldn’t suck up to him fast enough.
Governor Rhoden has always been a decent, honorable person and being that kind of person in an environment – which could at times be toxic – earned him a well deserved win tonight.
I cant stand the guy, but ya know what? At least he friggin conceded.
I votee against Toby but Rhoden is far from honorable. Anyone who supports Trump is evil.
Go Dan Ahlers!
Trump support is pragmatic, not evil – as long as nobody breaks the back of your local MAGA. They used their full bag of tricks to support Trump and lock themselves in the cockpit of the GOP jetliner these past few years – but it’s time for the regular party to assert itself again and hold the ground this time. Either that or your elected officials will be coerced by the local MAGA to appease Trump for as far into the future as you let it.
The biggest loser on Election Day wasn’t just Toby Doeden. It was South Dakota’s convention process. Imagine if we Republicans were forced to nominate our candidate for governor the same way they nominate Secretary of State and Attorney General. There’s a very real possibility Larry Rhoden never would have made it out of convention. Instead, Republican primary voters had the final say—and they delivered a decisive verdict. That’s the difference between a few hundred convention delegates and tens of thousands of Republican voters. The convention system is sold as a better way to pick candidates. Tuesday exposed that claim. It can elevate candidates who don’t reflect the broader Republican electorate while shutting out those who do. If you trust Republican voters to choose the nominee for governor, why don’t you trust them to choose every statewide nominee? The convention process isn’t a conservative principle. It’s an insider process. Hopefully we see some good Legislation this next session to begin the path of changing the convention system.
Let the voters decide.
Doeden was soundly rejected in Brown County! Good job! They have bottomed out and are finally climbing out of the political & economic hole but there is still work to be done. Doedites need to be purged out of local and county government yet at the ballot box.