Who is Gov. Larry Rhoden?
Larry Rhoden is the Governor of South Dakota, a seasoned legislator, and a fourth-generation cattle rancher. While many politicians spend their lives calculating their climb to the top, Rhoden’s path to the governor’s mansion was built on a foundation of reluctance, duty, and deep community ties. Elevated to Governor following Kristi Noem’s appointment as Secretary of Homeland Security, Rhoden brings the grit of a western South Dakota homesteader and the tactical leadership of an Army National Guard veteran to the executive branch.
From the Homestead to the State House
Rhoden’s roots run deep in the dirt of western South Dakota. His family homesteaded the region in the 1890s, surviving elements that drove lesser pioneers back east. Raised on a diversified family farm, Rhoden learned the harsh realities of agricultural economics early on. After attending vocational-technical school for ranch management, he joined the Army National Guard, where a stint as a basic training platoon leader unlocked a natural talent for managing young men from disparate backgrounds.
His entry into politics wasn’t driven by ambition, but by community request. A neighbor casually suggested he run for the local school board. Six years later, a county commissioner urged him to run for the state legislature. Rhoden entered the South Dakota House of Representatives at age 41 and eventually rose to Majority Leader by mastering the art of listening and coalition-building.
The Business of Governing
As a legislator, Lieutenant Governor, and now Governor, Rhoden has consistently applied a pro-business, constitutionally grounded framework to state operations.
Core Philosophies & Milestones:
- The Economics of Liberty: Alongside Kristi Noem, Rhoden was instrumental in South Dakota’s controversial—and ultimately vindicated—decision to keep businesses open during the COVID-19 pandemic, relying on data rather than fear to protect the state’s economy.
- Consensus Building: As House Majority Leader, Rhoden successfully managed a massive 52-member caucus by decentralizing power and ensuring every faction felt “relevant” and heard.
- Championing the Western Economy: Rhoden is a staunch defender of the agricultural supply chain and Western lifestyle, even sponsoring the legislation that officially made rodeo the state sport of South Dakota.
