With voters now set to return to the polls July 28 for the state’s first-ever runoff election, candidates Toby Doeden and Larry Rhoden will be entering uncharted territory.
With no historical precedent, turnout is expected to drop well below the 34.55% participation seen in the recent primary elections. The runoff is open only to Republican voters, making turnout efforts critical for both campaigns. Republican participation in the primary reached 42.4%, with Doeden leading at 41,791 votes and Rhoden with 34,379.
Both candidates are also targeting supporters of former contenders Hansen and Johnson, who received 28,390 and 31,925 votes respectively.
Campaign financing could play a decisive role. Doeden, has already heavily outspent Rhoden, reporting nearly $1.85 million in expenditures by mid-May, compared to Rhoden’s roughly $914,000. Doeden also outpaced Rhoden significantly in 2025 spending.
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