Rhoden: ‘I’ve felt so truly blessed’

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Even more than 20 years ago, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden knew he wanted to have an impact.

“As a first-term legislator, I was, found myself in Pierre, and I thought if I’m going to invest the time to be here, I want a seat at the table,” Rhoden said Wednesday in an interview with KELOLAND News in what was, per his office, his first sit-down interview since becoming governor. “So, the next term I ran for leadership, was assistant majority leader.”

Rhoden has been assistant majority leader, majority leader and lieutenant governor. But the governor’s office, he says, was unexpected.

Santella: “You ever think you’d sit behind this desk?”

“You know, no,” Rhoden said. “I really didn’t.”

Rhoden praises his team during the current time of considerable change.

“My new chief of staff Mackenzie is, she’s been a godsend because she’s the one that’s coming to me with making it happen, and I just have to give her an answer,” Rhoden said.

His new world still feels different.

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“To be here, quite honestly, it just seems surreal to be in this position,” Rhoden said.

There’s no shortage of possible challenges he may face as governor. If and when these require collaboration with the state’s congressional delegation, Rhoden is confident about their communication.

“That’s not going to be a problem,” Rhoden said. “I have been so pleased at the response I’ve got. I had a call just the other day with Senator Thune.”

And as he looks at his first handful of days as governor, he feels grateful.

“I’ve felt so truly blessed,” Rhoden said.