By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
November 6, 2026
Over 600 days ago, I started a new job as South Dakota’s 34th Governor. A lot has happened, and there is a lot to reflect on. But my windshield is a lot bigger than my rearview mirror, so I’m looking ahead to the future. South Dakotans gave me the privilege of serving another four years as their Governor, and that work continues now – it doesn’t wait for January.
I will be the first to point out the long list of results and successes during the first two years of the Rhoden-Venhuizen Administration, and we are just getting started. We have a tremendous opportunity to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free, but that won’t happen by resting on our laurels or focusing on the past.
During the last almost 12 months, I have tried to keep my focus on doing the work of Governor. So, I wasn’t willing to wait until almost the end of the term to start planning the next one – my transition is well underway.
My team in the Governor’s office is an established and committed group of professionals. All the way through, from my Executive Team to our friendly faces at the front desk of the office, they are all focused on the future of our state. Lt. Governor Venhuizen and I are ready to continue the work alongside them and the members of Cabinet. You won’t see a lot of changes in the roster, but that is because we are in a groove, not in a rut.
In the next several weeks you will read about re-appointments of my cabinet members, and there may be a couple of new faces. These announcements will be a chance to celebrate the foundation we have built and provide a glimpse of the standards we are setting for ourselves into the future. I’m also taking this approach because I want to honor some of the hardest working public servants in our state. Our agency leaders have been working on setting goals, thinking boldly, and moving our services and programs forward.
In my first column as Governor, I promised I was prepared for this job and understood the gravity of the responsibility. I promised to lead with civility, openness, responsiveness, and the common-sense conservative values that have made South Dakota so great. I stand by these promises. My administration is moving on from today, forward.
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