South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden delivered his first joint address to the South Dakota Legislature as governor on Tuesday. His full speech is here:

Larry Rhoden, who succeeded Kristi Noem as South Dakota’s governor on Saturday, brings a lengthy record of success as state legislator to his new office. The Meade County rancher and welder had already served 16 years in the Legislature and was seeking re-election to a seat in the House in 2018

Governor Rhoden grew up as a rancher in Meade County and served in the South Dakota National Guard from 1978 to 1985. He has stated that said experience has prepared him to tackle the most pressing issue that South Dakotans face. Republican State Senator Helene Duhamel of district 32 in Rapid City gave her remarks while congratulating Rhoden.

Gov. Larry Rhoden said he chose Tony Venhuizen as lieutenant governor for his knowledge of the Legislature and experience in the executive branch.

The gubernatorial transition comes after Kristi Noem was confirmed as the next Department of Homeland Security Secretary following a Senate vote on Saturday morning.

Kristi Noem has resigned as governor of South Dakota after her confirmation by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of Homeland Security. Larry Rhoden is now governor of South Dakota. Noem was chosen by the president-elect to lead the department responsible for immigration and border-related actions that will be central to h…

Rhoden is now the 34th Governor of South Dakota pursuant to Article 4 Section 6 of the South Dakota Constitution. Details on the succession and swearing-in ceremony have yet to be announced.

Following Governor Kristi Noem’s appointment to Secretary of Homeland Security, Larry Rhoden succeeded to Governor of South Dakota. Rhoden received Noem’s resignation as Governor and succeeded immediately following the vote by the United States Senate.

Rhoden emphasized that his leadership will focus on keeping South Dakota "strong, safe, and free." While not presenting a separate budget, he acknowledged concerns regarding certain aspects of the proposed budget and expressed intent to address those issues collaboratively.

Rhoden, 65, served as the state's lieutenant governor of South Dakota from 2019 until Saturday when former Gov. Kristi Noem resigned the office after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

A Sioux Falls legislator and longtime presence in South Dakota Republican politics, Tony Venhuizen, is Gov. Larry Rhoden’s pick for lieutenant governor. Rhoden announced his choice Wednesday morning at the Capitol in Pierre,