Larry Rhoden owes his new job as governor to Kristi Noem, but her political career might have stalled shortly after it began if not for his help, according to a story they’ve both shared publicly. As a new state legislator in 2007,

Governor Rhoden grew up as a rancher in Meade County and served in the South Dakota National Guard from 1978 to 1985. He has stated that said experience has prepared him to tackle the most pressing issue that South Dakotans face. Republican State Senator Helene Duhamel of district 32 in Rapid City gave her remarks while congratulating Rhoden.

New South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden deflected questions about his political future during his swearing-in ceremony Monday at the Capitol. When asked by the media if he plans to run in the 2026 race for governor,

Rhoden, 65, served as the state's lieutenant governor of South Dakota from 2019 until Saturday when former Gov. Kristi Noem resigned the office after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Gov. Larry Rhoden said he chose Tony Venhuizen as lieutenant governor for his knowledge of the Legislature and experience in the executive branch.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden delivered his first joint address to the South Dakota Legislature as governor on Tuesday. His full speech is here:

There was a time when newly-sworn-in South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden was in awe to have had an interaction with the governor of South Dakota.