Rhoden focused on legislative session, not potential gubernatorial campaign in 2026

January 28, 2025:

(South Dakota Broadcasters Association)- South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is staying tight-lipped about his political future, including whether he will run for governor in 2026.

When asked about it immediately after his swearing-in, the former lieutenant governor said he is “laser-focused” on his current role and the legislative session.

“It’s a very unique set of circumstances,” the 65-year-old said. “We have my staff right now upstairs testifying on some very important bills, so we’re focused on that and serving the people of South Dakota.”

Rhoden joins others like Congressman Dusty Johnson, Attorney General Marty Jackley, and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden as potential GOP contenders for the 2026 race who have declined to publicly comment on their political futures yet.

Asked about naming his lieutenant governor successor, Rhoden said an announcement would come in “a couple days” and would be followed by a joint address to the Legislature Tuesday (Jan. 28, 2025).

Rhoden called his rise to the highest office in the state “surreal.”

“Only in South Dakota can somebody like me, who grew up on a ranch in western South Dakota, have the opportunity to serve at this level,” he added.

January 27, 2025, update:

Newly sworn in Governor of South Dakota Larry Rhoden has revealed who he has chosen as some of his key staff members in the Governor’s Office.

Rhoden says he’s retaining the vast majority of his predecessor Kristi Noem’s current staff and cabinet. He says they are hard-working folks who are focused on South Dakota, however, is also making some changes.

Mackenzie Decker will serve as the Governor’s Chief of Staff. Mackenzie has worked for state government for 12 years, joining the Governor’s office over two years ago. She has worked for several state agencies including the Department of Labor and Regulation, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and the Department of Revenue. She graduated from South Dakota State University and earned her master’s in administration and organizational leadership from the University of South Dakota.

Matt Michels will serve as Senior Advisor and Counsel to the Governor. Michels previously served as the 38^th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota from 2011 to 2019 under Governor Dennis Daugaard. He was a Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1999-2007, including Speaker of the House from 2003 to 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Dakota (USD) and a Juris Doctorate from the USD School of Law.

Ian Fury will continue in the role of Director of Communications and Unborn Child Advocate, though he will not serve as the Governor’s media spokesperson. A spokesperson has been hired and will be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, please direct media inquiries to Mackenzie Decker at Mackenzie.Decker@state.sd.us.

Darin Seeley will continue his leadership as Commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration. He will no longer serve as Chief Operations Officer in the Governor’s Office.

Beth Hollatz, who served as Senior Advisor for Governor Kristi Noem, will retire from state government service on February 1. Beth had previously worked with then-Congresswoman Noem for eight years.

Rhoden has made a few other adjustments to staff responsibilities in the Governor’s Office, ensuring an exceptional team is in place to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free. Scheduling requests for Governor Rhoden can also be submitted on the Governor’s website.

You can find Governor Rhoden’s staff page here.

January 27, 2025:

Larry Rhoden will be sworn in as the 34th Governor of South Dakota today (Jan. 27, 2025) in a private ceremony at 11am CT/10am MT.

Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen will administer the oath during a brief ceremony in the Governor’s Office. Rhoden is expected to address the state legislature later in the week. A new lieutenant governor will be named soon.

A larger, public swearing-in ceremony will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in the State Capitol Rotunda. That ceremony will be open to the public and will be followed by a Capitol Ball that evening in the Rotunda.

The 65-year-old Rhoden ascended to the role of Governor of South Dakota after Saturday’s (Jan. 25, 2025) U.S. Senate confirmation of Kristi Noem as President Donald Trump’s secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Rhoden has been quietly preparing to take over as Governor since Trump nominated Noem for the Homeland Security position back in November (Nov. 12, 2024). Rhoden says he has held briefings with Noem and top cabinet officials, as well as sought out advice from long-time allies like Matt Michels and former Speaker of the House Tim Rave.

Much of Noem’s staff is expected to remain in place, though details are still forthcoming.

January 25, 2025:

Today (Jan. 25, 20250, Larry Rhoden received Kristi Noem’s resignation as Governor and succeeded to the office of Governor of South Dakota. Larry Rhoden is now the 34^th Governor of South Dakota pursuant to Article 4 Section 6 of the South Dakota Constitution.

This succession occurred immediately following the vote by the United States Senate to confirm Kristi Noem as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security. You can find Noem’s resignation letter here.

Courtesy image.

Rhoden focused on legislative session, not potential gubernatorial campaign in 2026

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