Role: Governor of South Dakota (since January 2025)
Category: State Governors / Republican Governors

Summary

Larry Rhoden is the Governor of South Dakota. He became governor in January 2025 when Kristi Noem was confirmed as Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security. He had served as Lieutenant Governor under Noem. Rhoden is running for a full term in 2026 in a competitive Republican primary field. He has continued Noem’s alignment with Trump’s agenda.

Background

Born: 1950
Career: Rancher; longtime South Dakota politician
Political career:

• South Dakota State Representative and State Senator for multiple terms
• Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota under Kristi Noem (2023–2025)
• Governor of South Dakota (January 25, 2025–present)

Trump Alignment

Rhoden has continued the Trump-aligned governance of the Noem administration and has aligned South Dakota with the Trump administration’s priorities.

2026 Election

Rhoden announced his candidacy for a full gubernatorial term in 2026. He faces a competitive Republican primary field. CBS Minnesota reported on his campaign launch: “South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announces he will run for a full term next year” in a “crowded Republican race.”

Connection to Noem

See also: kristi-noem-profile for the previous governor who now serves as Trump’s DHS Secretary and was the primary architect of South Dakota’s Trump-aligned governance.

For Trump Supporters: Questions Worth Considering

Governors are among the most powerful elected officials in the country — controlling state budgets, appointing agency heads, directing state law enforcement, and setting the political tone for millions of Americans.

The question every voter should ask of their governor, regardless of party: Is this official putting the interests of the state’s residents first — or the interests of a national political movement, party donors, or their own political future?

Here’s a question worth sitting with: If a Democratic governor had taken the same actions documented in this profile — the same policy decisions, the same use of state resources, the same relationships with donors or national figures — would you consider that acceptable? If not, then the standard shouldn’t change because of party affiliation.

Holding all elected officials to the same standard is what accountability means. It’s not partisan to ask whether your governor is delivering results for the people who elected them. It’s the most basic question in a democracy.

A second question: The promises made during a campaign versus the actual record in office — do they match? Looking at the documented actions in this profile, ask yourself whether the outcomes delivered for working people in this state reflect the priorities that got this official elected.

You elected them. You have every right to ask whether they’re working for you.

Factual correction requests: If you believe information in this profile is incorrect, please contact factcheck@patriot.university with your name (optional), the specific claim, and any supporting documentation. We review all submissions and correct verified errors promptly.

Sources

• SDPB (Noem departure): https://www.sdpb.org/politics/2026-03-05/noem-out-as-dhs-secretary
• CBS Minnesota (2026 campaign): https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/south-dakota-governor-rhoden-2026-election-campaign/