RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Governor Larry Rhoden announced his bid for re-election on Tuesday.
The Governor stood before his family members, supporters and others in the lobby of the Alex Johnson Hotel to share his campaign plans.
Rhoden spoke on his family’s history including his family’s military ties. Those ties include his great great great Grandfather who moved to the US from France to fight in the Revolutionary War. Rhoden also talked about his Grandfather’s service during World War One and his father’s service in World War Two in the Battle of the Bulge. Rhoden also explained how his father liberated the Mauthausen concentration camp.
Rhoden also went through his own history of service, including his time coaching Basketball, serving on the school board, National Guard time and more. Rhoden gave the audience his 14 years in the state legislature.
‘Very valuable time for me,” explained Rhoden. “Learning leadership skills, and learning to lead to issues,”
Rhoden explained to the audience that he had met former Governor Kristi Noem while the two served in the Legislature.
“That was a huge honor,” said Rhoden. “I figured it was it was the honor of a lifetime being lieutenant Governor,” said Rhoden.
Ultimately Rhoden went onto express the satisfaction with his current job, a job the Governor now hopes to hold onto past his current term.
“It’s been a real honor though, the honor, the true honor of my life to serve as Governor,” said Rhoden.
Rhoden was met with cheers as he made his official announcement. The governor assured his supporters that his campaign plans will not impact his daily work.
“I’m going to keep doing the people’s work. Because when I’m working South Dakota is winning,” said Rhoden.
Rhoden shared some of his priorities with his supporters. Those priorities include delivering “major property tax cuts for the South Dakota communities that need it the most”
The governor said he planned to continue to advance major public safety initiatives. Rhoden vowed to protect the state’s fiscal responsibility, AAA credit rating, fully funded pensions and balanced budget.
Rhoden also vowed to maintain what he said were the state’s low taxes, small government spending and low regulation.
He also committed to continue protecting 2nd amendment rights.
Asked about his top priorities, Governor Rhoden replied, “Well I’ve said it many times, my priority is to keep South Dakota strong, safe and free. And that’s more than, you know, that’s more than just a soundbite. I really believe that in my heart of hearts,”
