Larry Rhoden
Republican candidate for governor of South Dakota, the incumbent. Every point on this page links to its source. We don't grade candidates or tell you how to vote. As of 2026-10-08.
At a glance
| Party | Republican |
| Running for | Governor, South Dakota |
Record
No offices on record in the sources we use.
Where they stand
In their own words, from their campaign and official websites, summarised in plain English.
Economy and cost of living
Rhoden says he wants government to give South Dakotans freedom and opportunity rather than more red tape, and says he kept businesses open during COVID-19. He cites the state's lowest-in-the-nation unemployment rate and the Smithfield move out of downtown Sioux Falls as results of his term.
Taxes and government spending
Rhoden says he favors low taxes and points to a property tax cut he says is the largest in state history, reducing bills by 25 to 45% depending on county. He also says a new prison plan saves taxpayers $175 million.
“Delivered the largest property tax cut in South Dakota history, reducing property taxes by 25 to 45% depending on county.”
Health care
Rhoden says he delivered $189 million in federal funds to bring more health services to rural and remote areas.
“Delivered $189 million in federal funds to bring more services to rural and remote areas.”
Social Security and Medicare
No stated position on their website.
Immigration and the border
Rhoden says he banned sanctuary cities in South Dakota and signed agreements letting the Highway Patrol and Department of Corrections work with ICE.
“Banned sanctuary cities and signed ICE agreements with Highway Patrol and Department of Corrections.”
Abortion
Rhoden says he stopped abortion pills from coming into South Dakota, which he describes as protecting babies and moms.
“Stopped harmful abortion pills from coming into South Dakota, protecting babies and moms.”
Energy and climate
No stated position on their website.
Guns
Rhoden says he made South Dakota the first state to eliminate suppressor regulations and protected college students' Second Amendment rights.
“Made South Dakota the first state to eliminate suppressor regulations. Protected college students' 2A rights.”
Crime and policing
Rhoden says he wants low crime and respect for law enforcement. He says he launched targeted crime and drug interdiction (Operation Prairie Thunder), after which murder, meth and robbery rates dropped by double digits, and started a task force advancing faith-based and tribal-focused rehabilitation.
“I want to keep South Dakota safe – with low crime and respect for law enforcement.”
Education
Rhoden says he advanced phonics-based reading, replaced Common Core math, and opted South Dakota into school choice. He also says he invested in technical colleges, apprenticeships, and training paraprofessionals to become certified teachers.
Foreign policy and defense
Rhoden says he declared national security South Dakota's "Next Big Industry" and helped ban Chinese purchases of American agricultural land, while investing in critical infrastructure protections.
Elections and ethics in government
No stated position on their website.
Ratings and endorsements
No ratings: the groups we track score votes in Congress and endorse federal candidates, and we have not collected ratings or endorsements for governor candidates.
Money
Candidates for governor report to the state, not the FEC, and this page doesn't cover state reports. South Dakota's campaign-finance reports ↗
Praise, criticism and controversies
These sections are not covered for governor candidates yet: every item in them is checked by a person before it is shown, and that review covers Senate candidates for now.
From Semblen
No ads from this campaign's own committee in our index yet. See the race →
Sources
- https://governorlarryrhoden.com
- https://governorlarryrhoden.com/about
- https://governorlarryrhoden.com/accomplishments
- https://governorlarryrhoden.com/governor-rhodens-inaugural-address
- https://governorlarryrhoden.com/your-sd-team
Something missing or wrong?
Tell us here, or use Accurate? under any item above. A person reads every note. Campaigns can also write to [email protected]; we correct errors and say so.