Governor of South Dakota

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Template:Short description Template:For Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox Political post The governor of South Dakota is the head of government of South Dakota.<ref name="SD Constitution 4 1">Template:Cite web</ref> The governor is elected to a four-year term in even years when there is no presidential election.<ref name="SD Constitution 4 2"/>

The current governor is Larry Rhoden, a member of the Republican Party who took office on January 25, 2025 upon Kristi Noem's resignation following her confirmation as Secretary of Homeland Security by the United States Senate.

Qualifications

Anyone who seeks to be elected Governor of South Dakota must meet the following qualifications:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Be a resident of South Dakota for at least two years as of the election

Powers and duties

The governor holds many powers and duties, which in many ways are similar to those held by the president of the United States:<ref name="SD Government">Template:Cite web</ref>

  • The governor serves as a spokesperson for the state, promoting business and economic development interests.
  • The governor is actively involved in the legislative process;<ref name="SD Constitution 4 3">Template:Cite web</ref> they may introduce legislation, and have the power to veto bills passed by the South Dakota Legislature (though vetoes may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each house).<ref name="SD Constitution 4 4">Template:Cite web</ref>
  • The governor oversees the executive branch, and appoints the cabinet members. The governor also appoints the members of a wide array of state boards and commissions.<ref name="SD Constitution 4 3"/>
  • The governor is the commander-in-chief of the South Dakota National Guard.<ref name="SD Constitution 4 3"/>
  • The governor may grant pardons to those convicted of criminal offenses under state law.<ref name="SD Constitution 4 3"/>
  • The governor fills vacancies that occur in the state legislature, the state judiciary, and other state constitutional offices. The governor also fills vacancies in United States Senate seats from South Dakota.<ref name="SD Constitution 4 3"/>
  • The governor is the titular head of their political party.

History

From 1889 to 1974, the governor served a 2-year term. Until the 1940s, the governor was allowed to serve unlimited terms; since that time, governors have been limited to 2 consecutive terms. The gubernatorial term was extended to 4 years in 1974. The governor and lieutenant governor run on a single ticket. The gubernatorial nominee must win a primary, whereas the lieutenant governor nominee is selected at a state party convention. After the convention, they run on a single ticket.<ref name="SD Constitution 4 2"/>

South Dakota’s first governor was Arthur C. Mellette, who was also the last governor of the Dakota Territory.<ref name="Mellette"/>

3 of South Dakota's governors have left office before their terms expired. In 1978, Richard F. Kneip resigned from office 6 months before the expiration of his term to accept an appointment as United States ambassador to Singapore.<ref name="Kneip">Template:Cite web</ref> On April 19, 1993, George S. Mickelson was killed in a plane crash near Dubuque, Iowa; Mickelson is the only South Dakota governor to die in office. Mickelson and his father, George Theodore Mickelson, are the only father-son duo to serve as governor.<ref name=Mickelson>Template:Cite news</ref> On January 25, 2025, Kristi Noem resigned to become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security in the Cabinet of President Donald Trump.

South Dakota's longest-serving governor was Bill Janklow; he was the first governor to complete two four-year terms, and he did it twice, serving from 1979 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 2003.<ref name="Janklow 4th Term">Template:Cite news</ref> Janklow is also the only person to serve non-consecutive terms as governor.

Several governors have gone on to serve in other high offices. Coe I. Crawford,<ref name="Crawford Bio">Template:Cite web</ref> Peter Norbeck,<ref name="Norbeck Bio">Template:Cite web </ref> William H. McMaster, William J. Bulow, Harlan J. Bushfield, and Mike Rounds followed their tenures as governor by serving in the United States Senate. Bill Janklow served briefly in the United States House of Representatives following his second stint as governor.<ref name="Janklow House Win">Template:Cite news</ref> Kristi Noem was South Dakota's first female governor.

Of the 50 states, South Dakota currently holds the longest non-interrupted party control of the governorship. The Republican Party has controlled the South Dakota governorship since January 1, 1979.

Timeline

References

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Template:South Dakota Template:US Chief Executives Template:South Dakota statewide elected officials

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