Rep. Tony Venhuizen’s nomination solves months-long mystery about Rhoden successor following Kristi Noem’s departure
PIERRE, S.D. – A lawmaker who served under South Dakota’s last three governors is the nominee to become the state’s second in command.
Gov. Larry Rhoden has chosen fellow Republican Rep. Tony Venhuizen to succeed him as lieutenant governor after former Gov. Kristi Noem resigned her post last week to join President Donald Trump’s cabinet as U.S. Homeland Security secretary.
“I wanted a person with integrity, above all else,” South Dakota’s newly minted governor said at a morning press conference at the state Capitol, an announcement that ends months of speculation and intrigue around who’d move into the lieutenant gig following Noem’s departure.
Venhuizen, 42, is in his second term as a member of the South Dakota Legislature, serving District 13 in the House of Representatives. Prior to winning his first election to that office in 2022, the Armour native served as chief of staff under both Noem and former Gov. Dennis Daugaard. An attorney, Venhuizen is a son in law to Daugaard, and is known to be a pragmatic conservative with prowess as a political fundraiser. He’s also served two stints on the South Dakota Board of Regents, the first of which was during U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds tenure as governor.
“I’ve always felt a call to service. It’s in my blood,” said Venhuizen, a historian with extensive knowledge of South Dakota’s political history who also serves as president of the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation’s board of directors.
The appointment of Venhuizen, vice chairman of the budget-setting House Appropriations Committee, requires confirmation by both the state House and Senate. That will take place Thursday.
A select committee on the nomination for lieutenant governor will also review Venhuizen’s nomination. Formed this week as a result of the office being vacated following Noem’s departure and Rhoden’s transition into the governor’s office, the committee will meet Wednesday afternoon.
“Rep. Venhuizen is a well qualified nominee and has an extensive history of service to the state, and I look forward to learning more about how he anticipates potentially transitioning into a new role,” said Sen. David Wheeler, one of five tapped by Senate leadership to serve on the committee.
Venhuizen is an attorney who earned an undergraduate degree in history from South Dakota State University and his juris doctorate from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law.
He and wife Sara have three children.
If confirmed, Rhoden would be responsible for appointing a replacement to fill Venhuizen’s District 13 House seat.
