Lieutenant Governor

Larry Rhoden was elected on a team with Governor-elect Kristi Noem; he will be South Dakota’s 39th lieutenant governor. Larry is a lifelong West River rancher, a dedicated husband and father, and a proven leader with a record of service for South Dakota.

Growing up in the church, Larry understood true service at a young age. After graduating high school, he joined the South Dakota National Guard, serving six years and carrying on a family legacy of military service that began in the Revolutionary War. While his children were young, he served as a church trustee, earned a seat on the local school board, and led the Board of Directors for the area Cenex.

In 2000, Larry was elected to the state legislature. During his time as a citizen legislator, his peers have repeatedly selected him to serve in leadership, and he’s shown an aptitude for getting things done. Larry has served as House Majority Leader and has chaired both the Senate and House State Affairs Committees. Larry worked with Kristi to reform South Dakota’s tax code, led efforts to repeal the so-called “Trucker’s Tax,” and shaped legislation to limit the government’s eminent domain authority. His work earned him the American Conservative Union’s highest ranking in 2017.

Larry, who currently runs a cow-calf operation and custom welding business, still lives on the ranch where he was born and raised. He and his wife, Sandy, have four boys, three daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren.