Republican gubernatorial candidate Toby Doeden defended his campaign strategy, dismissed recent polling and argued that affordability remains South Dakota’s defining issue during the latest episode of the Dakota Town Hall podcast, where he appeared alongside state Sen. Taffy Howard of Rapid City.

The episode featured an extended conversation with hosts Brad “Murdoc” Jurgensen and Jake Shoenbeck, covering the Republican runoff election, property taxes, government spending, public safety and the direction of the Republican Party ahead of the July 28 election.

Responding to a recent public poll showing him trailing Gov. Larry Rhoden, Doeden said he has little confidence in outside polling and instead pointed to his campaign’s internal data and voter outreach.

“My position on polling has been the same for 13 months,” Doeden said. “We’ve polled twice. Our polling looks very good. We’re leading by a wide margin in early voters.”

Throughout the discussion, Doeden repeatedly argued that voters are focused on kitchen table issues rather than political controversies.

“I would say 80% of the questions I get every night at my bus stop events are either public safety, education, infrastructure, health care, housing and affordability,” Doeden said. “They care because their property taxes have doubled.”

Howard echoed that message, saying Doeden’s experience in the private sector separates him from the incumbent governor.

“There’s one candidate in this race that has a vision, and that’s Toby,” Howard said.

The conversation also included debate over state spending, audits of government agencies, prison funding, recidivism rates and economic development. Shoenbeck challenged several of Doeden’s claims, particularly regarding polling, cryptocurrency and public policy, creating one of the more spirited exchanges of the campaign season.

Murdoc also questioned Doeden about appealing to moderate Republicans after the primary, noting that some conservatives aligned with his campaign could make that more difficult. Doeden responded by arguing his platform reaches voters across the Republican coalition because it focuses on affordability, education and law enforcement rather than ideology.

The episode closed with lighter conversation about favorite South Dakota restaurants and Doeden’s ongoing search for a lieutenant governor running mate. While declining to name a choice, he said his list has narrowed considerably and emphasized the importance of selecting someone capable of leading the state if necessary.

The appearance comes less than two weeks before Republican voters choose between Doeden and Rhoden to determine the party’s nominee for governor.