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Larry Rhoden
Larry Rhoden 2025 (cropped).jpg
Rhoden in 2025
34th Governor of South Dakota
Assumed office
January 25, 2025
Lieutenant Tony Venhuizen
Preceded by Kristi Noem
39th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
In office
January 5, 2019 – January 25, 2025
Governor Kristi Noem
Preceded by Matt Michels
Succeeded by Tony Venhuizen
Secretary of Agriculture of South Dakota
Acting
May 8, 2020 – August 27, 2020
Governor Kristi Noem
Preceded by Kim Vanneman
Succeeded by Hunter Roberts (Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
from the 29th district
In office
January 10, 2017 – January 5, 2019
Preceded by Dean Wink
Succeeded by Kirk Chaffee
In office
January 9, 2001 – January 13, 2009
Preceded by Kenneth McNenny
Succeeded by Dean Wink
Member of the South Dakota Senate
from the 29th district
In office
January 13, 2009 – January 13, 2015
Preceded by Kenneth McNenny
Succeeded by Gary Cammack
Personal details
Born (1959-02-05) February 5, 1959 (age 66)
Sturgis, South Dakota, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse
Sandy Murphy
(m. 1981)
Children 4
Residence South Dakota Governor's Residence
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Branch/service  United States Army
Years of service 1978–1985
Unit South Dakota National Guard

Larry Rhoden was born on February 5, 1959. He is an American politician and businessman. Since January 2025, he has been serving as the 34th governor of South Dakota.

Rhoden is a member of the Republican Party. He served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009. Later, he was a member of the South Dakota Senate from 2009 to 2015 and again from 2017 to 2019. From 2019 to 2025, he was the 39th lieutenant governor of South Dakota. In January 2025, he became governor after Governor Kristi Noem resigned.

Early Life and Background

Larry Rhoden grew up on a farm. He attended church and graduated from Sunshine Bible Academy in 1977. After high school, he joined the South Dakota National Guard. He served there from 1978 to 1985.

When his children were young, he was active in his community. He served as a church trustee and on the local school board. He also led the board of directors for the area Cenex.

Political Career

Rhoden served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2001 to 2008. For four of those years, he was the majority leader. After reaching his term limit, he was elected to the state senate.

In the state senate, Rhoden worked on important committees. These included the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the State Affairs Committee. He supported bills that allowed volunteers to carry weapons in schools. He also sponsored a finding about gun ownership rights.

Running for U.S. Senate in 2014

In 2014, Rhoden ran for the U.S. Senate. He described himself as a "conservative voice for limited government." He spoke about his views on various topics. These included opposing certain social issues and "career politicians."

Rhoden signed a promise to never raise taxes. He also supported stopping funding for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In the primary election, he lost to Mike Rounds.

Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota (2019–2025)

Becoming Lieutenant Governor

On June 20, 2018, Kristi Noem, who was running for governor, announced Rhoden as her running mate. Noem said she wanted the lieutenant governor's role to be more traditional. She believed the governor should make certain decisions.

Time in Office

Rhoden officially became Lieutenant Governor on January 5, 2019. In May 2020, Governor Noem named him as the interim (temporary) Secretary of Agriculture. This role ended in August 2020. At that time, Noem combined the Department of Agriculture with another department.

In June 2020, Rhoden was chosen as one of South Dakota's three Republican presidential electors. This happened at the Republican State Convention.

Governor of South Dakota (2025–Present)

In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to nominate Kristi Noem for a federal position. After she was confirmed on January 25, 2025, she resigned as governor. Larry Rhoden was then sworn in as the new governor of South Dakota.

On January 29, Governor Rhoden chose Tony Venhuizen to be his lieutenant governor. The South Dakota Senate and South Dakota House of Representatives quickly approved Venhuizen. Early in his term, Governor Rhoden worked with the Interior Secretary to bring back the Mount Rushmore fireworks show in 2026.

Personal Life

Larry Rhoden lives in Union Center, South Dakota. He is married to Sandy, and they have four children. They also have seven grandchildren. Rhoden is a rancher by profession. He owns and runs a cow-calf operation and a custom welding business.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Larry Rhoden para niños

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