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Gov. Rhoden speaks on ‘Give Me Five’ program
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -Earlier this week, Governor Larry Rhoden announced a new program called “Give Me Five.”
Updated Oct 16, 2026, 2:28 PM ET
Larry Rhoden, a Republican who became governor of South Dakota in January 2025, is seeking his first full term in the November 2026 election.
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Recent media coverage for Larry Rhoden.
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South Dakota Groups Urge Governor to Join Summer Food Assistance Program for Children
PIERRE, S.D. –More than 30 South Dakota organizations and businesses are urging Governor Larry Rhoden to enroll the state in a federal program that helps low-income families buy groceries during the summer.
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Flags at Half-Staff Statewide in Honor of Deputy Katherine Ann Frank | State News
Governor Rhoden has also directed flags to be flown at half-staff on Sunday, October 18, 2026, the day preceding Deputy Frank's funeral, to pay tribute to her and all fallen law enforcement officers who have made the…
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Flags at Half-Staff Statewide in Honor of Deputy Katherine Ann Frank
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide from sunrise until sunset on Monday, October 19, 2026, in honor of Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy Katherine Ann Frank,…
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Advocates again ask governor to endorse summer food program operating in 39 states | Local News
PIERRE: Thirty-four South Dakota organizations and businesses have asked Gov. Larry Rhoden to support a program that offers debit cards for food to low-income families during the summer months.
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GOVERNOR RHODEN TO ATTEND OCT. 20 GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW HOSPITAL AND CLINIC
A touchstone event next week that will mark a significant moment in the 75-year history of Freeman Regional Health Services (FRHS) will be made even more special by the appearance of a distinguished guest.
More coverage 4
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South Dakota Launches ‘Give Me Five’ Down Payment Aid
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - First-time homebuyers in South Dakota could get help with their down payment through a new state program launching Nov. 2.
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MEMORIAL SERVICE SET FOR KATHERINE FRANK
SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR LARRY RHODEN HAS ORDERED FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF STATEWIDE FROM SUNRISE UNTIL SUNSET ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 IN HONOR OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY KATHERINE ANN FRANK, WHO TRAGICALLY…
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Flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Deputy Katherine Ann Frank
Avera Medical MinuteSomeone You Should KnowTouchstone Energy Scholar of the WeekStronger FamiliesFallen Deputy Katherine FrankElections 2026
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SD Board of Economic Development approves tax rebates for 333 megawatt wind farm project
The South Dakota Board of Economic Development voted Tuesday to approve $6.1 million in tax rebates for the state’s largest wind energy project.
No story this week names this candidate.
- Born
- February 5, 1959
- Birthplace
- Sturgis
- Education
- Sunshine Bible Academy (1977)
Biography & Campaign Analysis
Background
Larry Robert Rhoden was born on February 5, 1959, and grew up on a farm, finishing at Sunshine Bible Academy in 1977. He spent 1978 to 1985 in the South Dakota National Guard. A rancher, he runs a cow-calf ranch and a custom welding business and makes his home in Union Center with his wife, Sandy; the couple have four children. He has also been a church trustee, a local school board member and chair of the area Cenex board.
Career
Rhoden was a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009, four of those years as majority leader, and of the South Dakota Senate from 2009 to 2015 and again from 2017 to 2019.
He sought the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2014 and lost the June 2 primary to Mike Rounds, a former governor, by 41,377 votes to 13,393.
Kristi Noem chose him as her running mate in June 2018, and he took office as the 39th lieutenant governor of South Dakota on January 5, 2019, serving in 2020 as interim state secretary of agriculture.
After Noem resigned in January 2025 to lead the Department of Homeland Security, Rhoden was sworn in as the 34th governor of South Dakota and chose Tony Venhuizen as lieutenant governor.
2026 race
Rhoden entered the Republican primary for governor on November 18, 2025, joining House Speaker Jon Hansen, Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden and U.S. representative Dusty Johnson.
In the first round on June 2, 2026, Doeden led with 30.6 percent and Rhoden placed second with 25.2 percent; because no candidate reached 35 percent, the two met in a runoff on July 28, 2026, the state's first-ever primary runoff, which Rhoden won with 70.8 percent of the vote.
He is seeking his first full term in the November 3, 2026, general election.