Lawmakers express confidence in South Dakota’s potential new governor

November 18, 2024

S.D. Searchlight

PIERRE, S.D.–South Dakota lawmakers are expressing confidence in Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden while he prepares to potentially succeed Gov. Kristi Noem early next year. They’re also wondering who Rhoden might choose as his own lieutenant governor.

Meanwhile, Rhoden himself has said little publicly, except to provide a statement congratulating Noem on her recent nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The nomination won’t officially be sent to the U.S. Senate until Trump takes office in January, the same month South Dakota’s Legislature will convene for its annual lawmaking session in Pierre.

Rhoden is a lifelong rancher and a custom welder from rural Union Center in western South Dakota.