SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — If Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden becomes the 40th Governor of South Dakota, the state would be his primary focus, said Republican Sen. Lee Schoenbeck.
“Nobody’s going to doubt Rhoden’s commitment to South Dakota,” Schoenbeck said. “No one is going to doubt that Larry is serious about the state. I think Gov. Rhoden’s focus will all be within the four boundaries of the 605 area code. That’s where he will spend his time.”
Rhoden will become Governor if current Gov. Kristi Noem fills the role of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Republican Sen. Jim Bolin, who will not return to the Legislature after 2024, said he doesn’t believe Rhoden is seeking a national profile.
Bolin also said Rhoden is “certainly qualified to be Governor,” although he said that was not an endorsement of Rhoden. Rhoden’s roughly 14 years in the Legislature and six years as Lt. Governor are only part of his qualifications, Bolin said.
Republican Rep. Gary Cammack, the lawmaker who replaced Rhoden when he left the state Senate to run against Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds in 2014, said Rhoden has the knowledge and experience needed for Governor.
“I’ve known Larry all my life,” Cammack said. The two grew ranching in the Union Center area in West River South Dakota. “I think there is no one more qualified than Larry Rhoden to take over as Governor,” Cammack said.
Schoenbeck is leaving the Legislature at the end of this year but the long-time lawmaker served with Rhoden for multiple years.
Rhoden was a state Representative from 2001 to 2008. He served in the state Senate from 2010 to 2014. Schoenbeck served in the state Senate prior to Rhoden but was in the state House from 2003 to 2007. He’s served four different terms in the state House or Senate through 2024.
“I’ve been in meetings with him for over 20 years,” Schoenbeck said. The meetings weren’t always harmonious but Rhoden could work across differences of opinion and philosophy, Schoenbeck said.
Rhoden is able to “sit down with people who agree with him and people who don’t agree with him and come up with a solution,” Cammack said.
The Lt. Governor is willing to listen and support ideas that will “move South Dakota forward,” Cammack said.
Republican Sen. Ryan Maher is one of the lawmakers that didn’t always agree with Rhoden. Maher served for 16 years but was defeated in the primary in District 28 this year.
“I haven’t always agreed with him but we have a good working relationship,” Maher said.
Maher said he admired Rhoden’s tenacity, particularly when it came to complicated topics such as property tax reform. All of the reforms haven’t been successful but Rhoden was willing to take on the topic.
Working with the Legislature
The lawmakers said the Governor can set the tone of the legislative session.
“Absolutely. In the past, the Governor has always been a part of setting the tone of the legislative session,” Cammack said.
Rhoden will be an accessible governor, Maher said.
“What I thought goes back to the (Republican Gov. Dennis) Daugaard years,” Maher said. Daugaard met regularly with House and Senate leadership to discuss issues and topics, Maher said.
The Legislative session of 2025 will include newly elected lawmakers and leadership.
“It is a challenge for any Governor to deal with 105 different personalities,” Bolin said.
But the biggest challenge for Rhoden and the Legislature will likely be financial.
Governor and lawmakers will need to deal with fiscal issues during the next session, Schoenbeck said.
The state is expected to have less revenue for fiscal year 2026 than in past years.
“A number of new (lawmakers:) don’t understand how tough the legislative process can be,” Bolin said. He didn’t fully understand the process when he started in the Legislature 16 year ago.
It will be important for Rhoden to use his expertise to help the Legislature through the budget process, Bolin said.
“The other part is that incoming President Trump will likely make some serious budget cuts,” Bolin said. South Dakota is very dependent on federal money so any federal budget cuts can negatively impact the state, Bolin said.
Rhoden will likely have ideas and issues he wants to focus on as Governor but he’s also astute enough to know that sometimes, the priorities present themselves, Schoenbeck and Cammack said.
Is a run for Governor next?
Rhoden would become Governor with two years left on a term. He’d be Governor at what could be the start of running for election as Governor.
Lawmakers expect Rhoden to run for governor in 2026.
“The primary for 2026 is only 18 months away,” Bolin said.
Walter Dale Miller became Governor when Gov. George Mickelson died in a plane crash in 1993. Miller ran for Governor in 1995 but lost to eventual Governor Republican Bill Janklow.
Who will he pick as the next Lt. Governor?
Cammack said he can only speculate but Rhoden will be looking at a Lt. Governor who can be an advisor and a communicator.
Maher said Rhoden’s choice will likely be from East River to build a coalition. “I’ve always thought it’s hard to elect a governor from West River because of the population difference,” Maher said.
Bolin also expects Rhoden to choose a Lt. Governor from East River to build a coalition for a run for Governor.
Since the Lt. Governor presides over the Senate, Rhoden will likely consider a Senator for the position, Maher said.
