(PIERRE, SD) – South Dakota’s 34th Governor is no stranger to politics.
Larry Rhoden, who succeeded Kristi Noem after the Republican was named President Donald Trump’s Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, has served in many roles across the state, including Acting Secretary of Agriculture, in the South Dakota House of Representatives and the South Dakota State Senate.
Born and raised on a ranch east of Sturgis, Rhoden grew up on a ranch that his father put together after returning to the state from World War II.
“Our roots run really deep in western South Dakota,” he said.
Rhoden and his wife, Sandy, have been married just shy of 44 years and have four kids – all boys – and seven grandchildren.
The Governor says he’s always been active in his community – whether it be through serving on the school board or other committees.
In the South Dakota legislature, Rhoden served as Majority Leader in the House of Representatives. He served in the legislature for a total of 16 years before Noem asked him to become her running mate in 2018.
