Is becoming a short term Republican to beat Doeden your best choice?
What’s the best option for Democrats, independents and people who belong to other political parties in the South Dakota Republican Party gubernatorial runoff?
Should they stand by and watch Gov. Larry Rhoden try to keep his job by defeating the wealthy Trump wannabe from Aberdeen, Toby Doeden? A lot of folks who lean to the left are temporarily changing their registration to Republican to support Rhoden.
They see Doeden, who is making his first bid for political office and is largely unknown as a public figure, as a greater threat.
It’s been wild to see prominent Democrats like my friend Drey Samuelson, the longtime chief of staff and campaign manager for Tim Johnson in all his victorious runs for the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, advocate that move.
In a June 24 Facebook post, Drey, a lifelong Democrat, explained his reason for joining the GOP — at least for a short time.
“One thing I never thought I’d ever do was change my registration to Republican, but then I never thought that the Republican Party might nominate someone as extreme as Toby Doeden, either!
“And the results of yesterday’s vote in Sioux Falls for Mayor — with Christine Erickson leading Jamie Smith by 2 measly votes(!) — was a damn good reminder of the value of a single vote!
“So if you live in South Dakota and are a registered Democrat or independent, PLEASE consider visiting your local county auditor’s office, and changing your registration to Republican so you have a voice in who leads South Dakota for the next four years! Eight years of Donald Trump will be more than enough — we sure don’t need four years of Doeden’s insanity!!”
Former state Sen. Nancy Turbak Berry of Watertown changed her registration to vote in the June 2 Republican Primary. She told South Dakota Searchlight that she voted for Rhoden then and will again in the July 28 runoff.
Why?
“I wish we would elect Democrats,” Turbak Berry told Searchlight. “But until the state changes enough so that’s a likely scenario, I think it’s important to have a voice in the primary.”
The deadline to make this switch is Monday, July 13. If you’re going to do it, act fast.
There is another consideration. Democratic candidate Dan Ahlers seeks to be the first member of his party to be elected governor since Dick Kneip won his third term in 1974. South Dakota has the longest run of Republican control of the governor’s office of any state in the country.
While Republicans have won most of the last 12 gubernatorial elections handily, they might have a chance this year. Remember, Billie Sutton came close to defeating Kristi Noem in 2018, so there is a base of votes for Ahlers to draw from this year.
Ahlers is a known commodity, having served in the Legislature, as the Democratic Party candidate for the Senate seat held by Mike Rounds in 2020, and as a state party official in recent years.
Who would he rather run against? A governor with a long record in Pierre, who is known as a decent man, not a firebrand who seeks confrontation and conflict?
Or a political newcomer who has been compared to President Donald Trump for his blustery, boastful manner?
Rhoden’s political and private life has been explored and reported for years. There are likely no shocking and disturbing news stories waiting to be released in the next few months.
Doeden is still a mystery to most voters. If reporters did deep enough — and they will — what might we learn about him before November?
Who would be the better — and by that, I mean easier to defeat — opponent for Ahlers? He almost assuredly will be outspent, as Rhoden has access to supporters who will funnel plenty of cash into his campaign coffers, and Doeden will continue to pour his own money into the race. He spent $4 million to come in first in the June 2 primary, shoving Congressman Dusty Johnson and South Dakota Speaker of the House Jon Hansen into the unemployment line.
Ahlers pledges to raise enough money to wage a competitive campaign. He is a veteran campaigner who has been touring the state for months, making his case to people and doing media interviews.
A lot of Democrats are willing to hold their nose and become Republicans for a brief period to try to ensure Gov. Larry Rhoden is the Republican candidate. They fear Doeden, and he may pose a big risk to our state.
But he also might be the ideal foe for Dan Ahlers. Maybe a large share of Rhoden, Johnson and Hansen supporters would cross party lines in the General Election and support Ahlers.
So, make your choice before 5 p.m. Monday. Are you willing to be a temporary Republican to help your state — or should you remain a dedicated Democrat to give your party its best chance to elect a governor in more than half a century?
Fourth-generation South Dakotan Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states for four decades. He has contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets. Do not republish without permission.
Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons
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