Gov. Kristi Noem is set to take over the US Department of Homeland Security. Once confirmed, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden will serve out the remainder of the term.
Some are speculating what qualities Rhoden will want in the person to take over his job.
Lt. Gov. Rhoden, who is 65, is from Union Center, located in Meade County.
Representative Tony Venhuizen, R-Sioux Falls, served as chief of staff for both Dennis Daugaard and Gov. Noem. He said Rhoden would be the state’s fifth west river governor.
“You have to think if he’s looking at balance, I think it’s a very strong chance he would look East River—perhaps Sioux Falls. He and Gov. Noem, I know, have been proud of the fact that they’re both ag producers. Unusual to have the governor and lieutenant governor both come from that farm-ranching background. Perhaps he’d look for somebody in that field," Venhuizen said. "But, if he’s looking for balance, he could look for somebody in a different field, also.”
Rhoden has spent twenty-two years holding elected office—including 10 years in the state house—where he served as House Majority Leader, six in the state senate and six in his current role.
Rhoden will be the third lieutenant governor to succeed a governor. The first being Harvey Wollman, who took office when Richard Kneip became the US Ambassador to Singapore in 1978. Walter Tale Miller took office after George S. Mickelson died in a plane crash in 1993.
Venhuizen said Rhoden will ultimately look for a governing partner.
“He needs somebody he knows and trusts and is comfortable with. This person has to preside over the Senate, which is important. You want somebody who can do that. Even more important is somebody who can be part of the administration—contribute to that job," Venhuizen said. "And then, of course, be ready to step in. Why do we have a lieutenant governor? We’re experiencing it right now. If something happens to the governor, you need somebody who’s ready to step in.”
The next gubernatorial election is in 2026.
The annual budget address is scheduled for December 3. The ten-week legislative session starts on January 14.
