Rhoden Defeats Bitcoin Evangelist Doeden in South Dakota Gubernatorial Runoff

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden fended off a primary challenge from businessman and Bitcoin evangelist Toby Doeden in Tuesday's gubernatorial runoff, winning the first such election in state history. Rhoden secured 70.5% of the vote compared to Doeden's 29.5%, with approximately 25% of the expected votes counted.

The runoff followed a four-way June primary where Doeden finished first with 30.6% of the vote and Rhoden placed second with 25.2%. Both candidates fell short of the 35% threshold required to secure the nomination outright.

Doeden, a political newcomer, built a public profile as a Bitcoin evangelist, investing heavily in the cryptocurrency after researching it for over 500 hours. He even called for South Dakota to establish a state Bitcoin reserve, which was opposed by state investment and budget officials.