Gov. Larry Rhoden keeping 2026 election plans quiet

South Dakota's new governor sworn in, cites uniqueness of historic transition when opting not to share details about political ambitions beyond this term

PIERRE — Gov. Larry Rhoden isn’t saying whether he’ll run in South Dakota’s next gubernatorial election.

While fielding media questions inside the governor’s office, where he took his oath of office Monday morning, the Union County rancher and now former lieutenant governor declined to discuss what his political ambitions will be when he’s through serving out the four-year term of his old boss — Homeland Security secretary and former governor Kristi Noem — which ends in January 2027.

South Dakota power brokers: State's influence on federal government reaches zenith

Department of Social Services employee pleads guilty to stealing food stamps

“It’s a fair question, but I am focused right now — laser-focused — on getting to work here,” Rhoden said, noting that transitioning gubernatorial administrations while the state Legislature is in session has never happened before in South Dakota. “I will probably be the only man in history to have ever served as presiding officer in the Senate and governor in the same session.”

That reality, coupled with governor’s office-backed policy initiatives facing lawmaker scrutiny, commands his attention to stay on the legislative session and not any upcoming elections.