Governor Larry Rhoden’s journey into public service is grounded in the strong, practical leadership found throughout western South Dakota. Born in Sturgis and raised on the family ranch in Union Center, his story reflects the values of hard work, family devotion and an unwavering commitment to leaving things better than he found them. “I think God puts us all on Earth to serve others,” Governor Rhoden reflected, sharing the core motivation behind his two decades in politics. His path to office occurred naturally, starting with community involvement — coaching youth sports, serving on local boards and stepping onto the school board. From these roots, Governor Rhoden’s journey progressed to nearly 20 years in the South Dakota State Legislature (both the House and the Senate) and six years as Lieutenant Governor, marking a clear and steady path of dedicated public service. His leadership style is shaped by early life experiences far from the political arena: serving in the South Dakota National Guard and life on the family ranch. “Boot camp was a pivotal moment,” Governor Rhoden said. “It tests your mettle; I learned a lot about resilience.” Coupled with a ranch upbringing that traces back to homesteading, it’s no surprise grit and self-reliance define his leadership approach. He calls the pioneering spirit of South Dakota “the fabric and foundation” of the state. 2026 When Governor Rhoden is the right person for the job, he views it as a conviction and a calling to fulfill that duty. That’s how he advanced to become the South Dakota Senate Majority Leader in his third term, embracing the challenge of guiding a diverse caucus through complex issues like property tax reform. He credits much of his success to teamwork and listening — “making people feel relevant, part of the team,” and appreciating diverse voices. “That gave us the ability to take some hard votes,” he said, “but at the end of the day, if we did that, we could stand together and accomplish some great things for our state.” Governor Rhoden’s wife, Sandy, has been a steadfast partner through it all. She recognized his leadership gifts long before his political career began. “He has a lot of common sense,” she said, “and he doesn’t hide from the truth.” Together, they navigated the sacrifices public service requires, with Sandy’s support vital to his sustained commitment. Looking ahead, Governor Rhoden hopes his legacy will be a stronger, safer and freer South Dakota. “I want to leave the state in better shape than when I took office,” he said simply. Through service, leadership and an unshakable connection to the land and its people, Larry Rhoden embodies the spirit of South Dakota — steadfast, principled and ready to serve.