South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden 'ready to serve' after months-long transition
Newly minted governor makes first public remarks to media since Noem’s November nomination
PIERRE — South Dakota’s 34th governor says he is ready to serve in the role he ascended to Saturday morning.
Speaking publicly for the first time as governor since former Gov. Kristi Noem submitted her resignation earlier in the day, the veteran Republican politician shed light on the process that had unfolded since President Donald Trump nominated Noem to become the next Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary on Nov. 12.
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According to a release from the governor’s office, Rhoden spent recent weeks preparing for the transition by holding briefings and meetings with Noem and high-ranking cabinet officials, and taking advice from the friends and advisors Rhoden has accrued through his decades-long career in public service. Key advisors on the transition team included Matt Michels and Regent and former Speaker of the House Tim Rave, both close friends to Rhoden. Michels is slated to join the governor’s office as a policy advisor.
Rhoden had not done any interviews or issued any public statements during the transition.
“Until now, I have kept my extensive preparations for this succession to myself. I would have loved to have spoken openly sooner, but the time was not yet appropriate,” Rhoden said. “South Dakotans should rest assured that I’m ready to serve as your governor.”
Much of Noem’s staff in the governor’s office is expected to remain under Rhoden’s administration, though specifics have not yet been shared.
The Union Center rancher’s first week in the office will be a busy one. Rhoden will take the oath of office Monday morning during a ceremony in the State Capitol, and will likely address the Legislature later in the week, which is convened in Pierre for the state’s 100th legislative session. A lieutenant governor pick is also imminent.
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Do you suppose he has to keep Ian Fury?
So Fury survives as the governor's office director of communications. However, that "a press secretary position is being created to be the governor’s point of contact for news media, reporters, and journalists" means there might just be an improvement in getting the pubic information they deserve to know. Who knows, Governor Rhoden might even conduct press briefings and news conferences in which unscripted questions are asked and answered. It has been a few years since we got that public service from the governor's office.