South Dakota governor says no plan made about potential 2026 run

Union Center Republican could seek full term or 'ride off into the sunset'

(Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE — “The answer is no.”

That’s how Gov. Larry Rhoden responded this week when asked if his selection of Tony Venhuizen for lieutenant governor is a tell as to whether he’ll enter the 2026 gubernatorial election.

The plain spoken, Union Center rancher added that he hasn’t even determined if he’ll put his name on a GOP primary ballot.

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“I have no reason to not be honest with you,” Rhoden told The Dakota Scout Wednesday after announcing Venhuizen’s nomination to succeed him as lieutenant governor.

While that revelation puts to rest months of intrigue about who the pick would be, it also sparks new questions about how it’ll affect the next election cycle. That’s due to speculation among South Dakota politicos that Venhuizen had been a contender to either be lieutenant governor in a potential Dusty Johnson administration — the four-term congressman is believed to be gearing up for a gubernatorial run of his own.

A congressional run for Venhuizen, who is also not talking about any future campaigns, had also been floated inside the state Capitol.

The scenarios will hinge on Rhoden, who said Venhuizen will be loyal to him.

“I will say that when I picked a lieutenant governor, I had to be comfortable that regardless of what the future holds — whether I serve two years and ride off into the sunset back to my ranch or decide to run — whatever the choice is, I wanted someone that is all in for me.”

Venhuizen nodded in agreement.

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