As the year comes to a close, we think back on the year that was. It was a historic year of transition and change in South Dakota politics, and for this blogger personally. That personal change led to less posting this year, although, thanks to increased search traffic, 2025 was this blog’s most viewed year, going back to its launch in late 2016.
Here is a look at some of the South Dakota history made in 2025:
Thune, Noem, and Rhoden move up
The end of 2024 brought two political earthquakes to South Dakota politics: The election of U.S. Senator John Thune as Republican leader in the U.S. Senate; and the nomination of Governor Kristi Noem to be U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Thune officially took on his new role in January 2025, upon the opening of the new Congress. Governor Noem had to wait for confirmation by the U.S. Senate, which came on January 25, 2025. She immediately resigned, becoming just the second South Dakota governor to do so, and was succeeded by Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden, who became the 34th Governor of South Dakota.
Rhoden was the first governor to take office midway through a legislative session, as he took the oath of office on the 9th Legislative Day. Later that week, Rhoden nominated State Rep. Tony Venhuizen of Sioux Falls to be the state’s 40th lieutenant governor; Venhuizen was unanimously confirmed by state legislators the next day. Rhoden also named Mackenzie Decker as his chief of staff, making her just the second woman to hold that role in South Dakota. The year also brought a special legislative session, in September, to secure approval of a new state penitentiary in Sioux Falls.
100th Legislative Session
The year 2025 also brought the state’s 100th Legislative Session, and this blogger was honored to chair the committee that planned for commemorations of this milestone. The commemorations included a reunion of more than 200 current and former legislators in April, at which a Termesphere honoring the legislature was unveiled. The State Historical Society published a new collection, A Legislature of Citizens, collecting historical articles about the legislature. The South Dakota Law Review published a symposium issue featuring several articles about the State Legislature, including an article co-written by this blogger and Sen. David Wheeler. The Legislator Historical Listing, on the legislative website, was enhanced with scanned images of former legislator’s profiles from the Biographical Dictionary of the South Dakota State Legislature and from the biennial South Dakota Legislative Manual, or “Blue Book.”
2026 Gubernatorial Election Begins
This is a history blog, not a politics blog, so although not covering the ebb and flow of political campaigns, the blog did write about the candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring for next year’s election.
Governor Larry Rhoden, the incumbent, made his reelection bid official in November. By then, three other Republicans had launched their campaigns, including House Speaker Jon Hansen of Dell Rapids, who announced a bid with running mate Karla Lems of Canton in April; Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden, who launched his candidacy as a populist outsider in May; and Congressman Dusty Johnson of Mitchell, who announced his long-anticipated campaign in June.
In addition, to the Republicans, the current field includes Democrat Robert Arnold, a Dakota State University student and former legislative intern; and Allison Renville, a Native American community activist who is running as an independent. There will likely be another Democratic candidate added to the field in the new year, while the Republican field is probably set.
Final Farewells
State Rep. Richard Vasgaard, a farmer from Turner County, died in August in a farm accident. His successor, John Shubeck, was one of five legislators Governor Rhoden named this year to fill vacancies.
Among the prominent former legislators who passed on this year were former Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mac McCracken of Rapid City, Rep. Karen Soli of Sioux Falls, former House Speaker Charles Droz of Miller, who died aged 101; and former Assistant House Majority Leader Orv Smidt.
South Dakota also bid farewell to former Vice President Dick Cheney, a native of Wyoming who made frequent trips to our state to enjoy pheasant hunting, and who after 9/11 made Paul Nelson Farms near Gettysburg his “undisclosed location” on more than one occasion.
Publications and Tributes
This blogger joined Rapid City media figure Brad “Murdoc” Jurgensen in creating “Running Mates,” a podcast series talking through the history of each U.S. presidential election. After a strong start this summer, the series has covered the first 50 elections, from 1788 to 1984, with three episodes remaining to cover 1988-2024.
The 11th edition of The Governors of South Dakota was also released, including for the first time Governor Larry Rhoden. A few copies are still available.
This blogger also wrote a book review of Perpich, a biography of Minnesota’s colorful former governor; and, two tributes in October to commemorate the 100th birthdays of Walter Dale Miller, the 29th Governor of South Dakota; and Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s longest-served Prime Minister of the 20th Century.
Looking ahead
The year 2026 will be another notable year in South Dakota history. U.S. Senator Mike Rounds will seek to extend his historic career with a third term in the Senate. Governor Rhoden will seek a full-term as governor against a competitive primary field. And South Dakotans will elect a new congressman, replacing Dusty Johnson, who is challenging Rhoden.
Beyond politics, 2026 brings the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. Here’s hoping that all Americans can look past our political differences to celebrate the history and values that make the United States of America special. I also hope it brings a renewed interest in South Dakota history.
SoDak Governors 