With Gov. Kristi Noem’s likely confirmation in Washington D.C., attention now turns to her successor Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden.
Rhoden has had a long legislative career leading up to this moment which has left him respected by peers on both sides of the aisle. Several lawmakers took time on the Senate floor Friday to share their stories.
Sioux Falls Sen. Jamie Smith is the Democrats' assistant leader. He said he will remember Rhoden as a bridge builder.
“I rise today to recognize a person I consider a friend as well. His name is Larry Rhoden," Smith said. "As a freshman legislator it became clear he had been around here a little while. That he knew a few things. You should probably pay attention and listen a little bit. He had a history and a passion for what he did and it became clear, he loved the state of South Dakota. Does mean I’m always going to agree with him? No, but do I know I’m going to get a fair shake with him? Yes. I look forward to working with you sir.”
Rhoden served a legislator for most of the first two decades of the 2000s, spending time in both chambers. His role changed in 2019 when he became Noem's lieutenant governor, which also made him president of the Senate.
Sen. Chris Karr is the Republican pro tem of the Senate, and he shared a story of his first days in Pierre with Rhoden.
“At that time, Rep. Rhoden was charring that committee, and he killed my bill – it was a beautiful bill. The most beautiful bill you ever saw," Karr said. "And I say ‘why would you do that?’ and then that was the first time I ever heard ‘the juice isn’t worth the squeeze kid.’ I wanted to thank you, though. In the last two weeks here that I’ve had the chance to be in the senate, he has shown me a great deal of respect and deference to our leadership as well.”
Rhoden is anticipated to become the acting governor within the next few days.