Governor of South Dakota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Governor of South Dakota
State flag
Seal of South Dakota
Incumbent Larry Rhoden since January 25, 2025
Government of South Dakota
Style	The Honorable
Residence	The Governor's Mansion
Term length	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holder	Arthur C. Mellette 1889
Formation	Constitution of South Dakota
Salary	$139,100.00

The governor of South Dakota is the main leader of the state government. This person is chosen by voters for a four-year term. Elections happen in years when there isn't a big national presidential election. The current governor is Larry Rhoden. He is part of the Republican Party and started his job on January 25, 2025.

Who Can Be Governor?

To become the Governor of South Dakota, a person needs to meet these requirements:

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have lived in South Dakota for at least two years before the election.

What Does the Governor Do?

The governor has many important jobs and powers. These are often like the jobs of the president of the United States, but for the state.

Leading the State

• The governor speaks for South Dakota. They help promote businesses and grow the state's economy.
• They work closely with the South Dakota Legislature, which makes the state's laws.
• The governor can suggest new laws.
• They can also say "no" to (or veto) bills passed by the legislature.
• However, the legislature can still pass a bill if two-thirds of its members vote to override the veto.

Managing the Government

• The governor is in charge of the state's executive branch. This is the part of government that carries out laws.
• They choose people to be part of their cabinet. These are leaders of different state departments.
• The governor also picks members for many state boards and groups.
• They are the leader of the South Dakota National Guard. This means they are in charge of the state's military forces.

Other Important Roles

• The governor can forgive people who have been found guilty of state crimes. This is called granting a pardon.
• If there's an empty spot in the state legislature or courts, the governor fills it.
• They also fill empty seats for South Dakota in the United States Senate.
• The governor is usually the main leader of their own political party in the state.

A Look Back: South Dakota's Governors

The job of governor in South Dakota has changed over time.

Term Length and Limits

• From 1889 to 1974, governors served for two years at a time.
• Until the 1940s, a governor could serve as many terms as they wanted.
• Now, governors can only serve two terms in a row.
• In 1974, the term length changed to four years.

How Governors Are Chosen

• The governor and lieutenant governor run for office together.
• The person who wants to be governor must win a primary election first.
• The lieutenant governor candidate is chosen at a state party meeting.
• After that, they run as a team.

Notable Governors

• Arthur C. Mellette was South Dakota's very first governor. He was also the last governor of the area before it became a state.
• Three governors have left office before their term was over.
  • In 1978, Richard F. Kneip left six months early to become a U.S. ambassador to Singapore.
  • On April 19, 1993, George S. Mickelson died in a plane crash. He is the only South Dakota governor to die while in office. His father, George Theodore Mickelson, was also a governor.
  • On January 25, 2025, Kristi Noem resigned. She became the United States Secretary of Homeland Security for President Donald Trump.
• Bill Janklow served the longest as governor. He was the first to complete two four-year terms, and he did it twice! He is also the only person to serve terms that were not in a row.
• Many governors have gone on to hold other important jobs.
  • Coe I. Crawford, Peter Norbeck, William H. McMaster, William J. Bulow, Harlan J. Bushfield, and Mike Rounds all became U.S. Senators.
  • Bill Janklow also served in the United States House of Representatives.
• Kristi Noem was the first woman to be governor of South Dakota.
• The Republican Party has controlled the South Dakota governorship since January 1, 1979. This is the longest time any party has held the governor's office in any U.S. state without interruption.

Timeline of Governors of South Dakota