By Joshua Haiar, South Dakota Searchlight
PIERRE — New South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden deflected questions about his political future during his swearing-in ceremony Monday at the Capitol.
When asked by the media if he plans to run in the 2026 race for governor, he called it a fair question but said, “I’m laser-focused on getting to work here.”
Rhoden, the state’s 34th governor, will serve the remainder of former Gov. Kristi Noem’s second term. She resigned Saturday as the U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination to lead the federal Department of Homeland Security.
“It seems surreal,” Rhoden said. “Only in South Dakota could somebody like me, who grew up on a ranch in western South Dakota, have the kind of opportunity to serve at this level.”
Rhoden, a 65-year-old Republican, is a lifelong rancher from rural Union Center. He formerly served 16 years in the Legislature, including a stint as House majority leader. Part of his role as lieutenant governor was presiding over the state Senate.
One of Rhoden’s first decisions will be the appointment of a lieutenant governor, subject to confirmation by the Legislature. He did not immediately announce anyone for that role Monday, but he did announce some of his staff.
Mackenzie Decker, with 12 years of state government experience, will serve as chief of staff. Matt Michels, who formerly served as a lieutenant governor and a legislator, will be a senior adviser and legal counsel. Ian Fury will remain as director of communications and unborn child advocate, but will not serve as Rhoden’s spokesperson. A new media spokesperson will be announced soon, Rhoden said.
A larger swearing-in ceremony will be Feb. 8 in the Capitol Rotunda. That ceremony will be open to the public and will be followed with a Capitol Ball that evening.
Rhoden also addressed a joint session of the state House and Senate at 1:30 p.m. Central on Tuesday at the Capitol in Pierre.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence.
