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

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

Amid Larry Rhoden's succession to South Dakota governor, several executive staffers under former Gov. Kristi Noem were shuffled into new roles.

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.

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

Gov. Larry Rhoden received Kristi Noem's official resignation as South Dakota governor on Saturday as she joined the Trump administration.

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.

The transition comes after Kristi Noem was confirmed as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

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.