Solid SD unaffiliated conservative gubernatorial candidate would elect Sutton

ip photo: Jason Frehrichs and Heck On Wheels, Billie Sutton review the script for a skit during the 2014 Democratic SD State Convention.

It seems unlikely that interim South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden will stand for nomination in a contested primary splitting the "moderate" vote with Howdy Doody Dusty Johnson and giving the nod to Tubby Toby Doeden.

And, if the SD Earth hater state convention delegates are mostly made up of the extreme white wing of that party and forsake Marty Jackley and Lance Russell, Jon Hansen would do well as a nominee for attorney general or he could enter the governor's race as an unaffiliated candidate. 

But, veteran reporter and columnist, Kevin Woster sees hope for the South Dakota Democratic Party in the 2026 governor's race if Billie Sutton is our nominee.

A friend of mine got what he called a lengthy phone survey the other night asking if he would prefer Dusty Johnson or Billie Sutton in the 2026 governor's race. My friend said there was also a "slight mention" of Toby Doeden, basically just whether my friend would consider voting for him. The focus, though, seemed to Johnson vs. Sutton. Then, of course, there's the state of the Republican Party these days and the hard right's oversized influence come primary time. That always adds a dose of crazy to the proceedings. But if Johnson does win the primary, a Billie Sutton candidacy would certainly get Johnson's attention in the way that no other Democratic challenger could or would. [Woster, Faceberg post]

Image right: Billie Sutton and SDDP Chair Shane Merrill at McGovern Day. 

Don't forget that the SDGOP is broke and broken so if you are a South Dakota conservative with the fire in the belly who can get on the General Election ballot in 2026 and intends to run as an unaffiliated or third party candidate for any statewide office or for the legislature from your district I will support your efforts both with money and in print.