PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — When Larry Rhoden took the oath of office as South Dakota’s 34th governor today, he joined a small group of lieutenant governors who have stepped into the state’s highest office following a governor’s departure.
Rhoden assumed the role today (Monday), after Governor Kristi Noem resigned to become the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. This marks the third time in modern South Dakota history that a lieutenant governor has succeeded to the governorship mid-term.
The most recent transition came on April 19, 1993, when Lt. Governor Walter Dale Miller became governor following the death of George S. Mickelson in a plane crash. Miller sought his party’s nomination for the 1994 election but lost the Republican primary to former Governor Bill Janklow.
On July 24, 1978, Lt. Governor Harvey Wollman assumed the governorship when Dick Kneip resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to Singapore. Wollman had already lost his party’s nomination before becoming governor, having been defeated in the June 1978 Democratic primary by Roger McKellips.
Rhoden will serve the remainder of Noem’s term, which runs through 2026. The former rancher and state legislator from Union Center has served as lieutenant governor since 2019.
South Dakota’s constitution provides for automatic succession of the lieutenant governor if the governor’s office becomes vacant.
