List of governors of South Dakota
The governor of South Dakota is the head of government of the U.S. state of South Dakota . The current governor is Kristi Noem , representing the Republican Party , serving since 2019.
Governors
Dakota Territory was organized on March 2, 1861;[ 1] on November 2, 1889, it was split into the states of North Dakota and South Dakota.[ 2]
The Constitution of South Dakota originally provided for the election of a governor and lieutenant governor every two years with no limits. A law passed in 1947 prohibited parties from nominating someone who had served two consecutive terms, effectively creating a term limit, and an amendment in 1972 increased term lengths to four years while formally prohibiting someone from serving three consecutive terms. Should the office of governor become vacant, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.
Governors of the State of South Dakota
No.
Governor
Term in office
Party
Election
Lt. Governor [ a]
1
Arthur C. Mellette (1842–1896) [ 5]
November 2, 1889 [ b] – January 3, 1893(did not run)
Republican
1889
James H. Fletcher
1890
George H. Hoffman
2
Charles H. Sheldon (1840–1898) [ 10]
January 3, 1893 [ 11] – January 5, 1897(did not run)
Republican
1892
Charles N. Herreid
1894
3
Andrew E. Lee (1847–1934) [ 13]
January 5, 1897 [ 14] – January 8, 1901(did not run)
Populist
1896
Daniel T. Hindman [ c]
1898
John T. Kean [ c]
4
Charles N. Herreid (1857–1928) [ 16]
January 8, 1901 [ 17] – January 3, 1905(did not run)
Republican
1900
George W. Snow
1902
5
Samuel H. Elrod (1856–1935) [ 19]
January 3, 1905 [ 20] – January 8, 1907(did not run)
Republican
1904
John E. McDougall
6
Coe I. Crawford (1858–1944) [ 22]
January 8, 1907 [ 23] – January 5, 1909(did not run)
Republican
1906
Howard C. Shober
7
Robert S. Vessey (1858–1929) [ 25]
January 5, 1909 [ 26] – January 7, 1913(did not run)
Republican
1908
1910
Frank M. Byrne
8
Frank M. Byrne (1858–1927) [ 28]
January 7, 1913 [ 29] – January 2, 1917(did not run)
Republican
1912
Edward Lincoln Abel
1914
Peter Norbeck
9
Peter Norbeck (1870–1936) [ 31]
January 2, 1917 [ 32] – January 4, 1921(did not run)
Republican
1916
William H. McMaster
1918
10
William H. McMaster (1877–1968) [ 34]
January 4, 1921 [ 35] – January 6, 1925(did not run)
Republican
1920
Carl Gunderson
1922
11
Carl Gunderson (1864–1933) [ 37]
January 6, 1925 [ 38] – January 3, 1927(lost election)
Republican
1924
Alva Clark Forney
12
William J. Bulow (1869–1960) [ 40]
January 3, 1927 [ 41] – January 6, 1931(did not run)
Democratic
1926
Hyatt E. Covey [ c]
1928
Clarence E. Coyne [ c] (died May 27, 1929)
John T. Grigsby
13
Warren Green (1869–1945) [ 43]
January 6, 1931 [ 44] – January 3, 1933(lost election)
Republican
1930
Odell K. Whitney
14
Tom Berry (1879–1951) [ 46]
January 3, 1933 [ 47] – January 5, 1937(lost election)
Democratic
1932
Hans Ustrud
1934
Robert Peterson
15
Leslie Jensen (1892–1964) [ 49]
January 5, 1937 [ 50] – January 3, 1939(did not run) [ d]
Republican
1936
Donald McMurchie
16
Harlan J. Bushfield (1882–1948) [ 52]
January 3, 1939 [ 53] – January 5, 1943(did not run) [ e]
Republican
1938
1940
A. C. Miller
17
Merrell Q. Sharpe (1888–1962) [ 55]
January 5, 1943 [ 56] – January 7, 1947(lost nomination)
Republican
1942
1944
Sioux K. Grigsby
18
George T. Mickelson (1903–1965) [ 58]
January 7, 1947 [ 59] – January 2, 1951(did not run)
Republican
1946
1948
Rex Terry
19
Sigurd Anderson (1904–1990) [ 61]
January 2, 1951 [ 62] – January 4, 1955(did not run)
Republican
1950
1952
20
Joe Foss (1915–2003) [ 64]
January 4, 1955 [ 65] – January 6, 1959(did not run) [ f]
Republican
1954
L. Roy Houck
1956
21
Ralph Herseth (1909–1969) [ 67]
January 6, 1959 [ 68] – January 3, 1961(lost election)
Democratic
1958
John F. Lindley [ c]
22
Archie M. Gubbrud (1910–1987) [ 70]
January 3, 1961 [ 71] – January 5, 1965(did not run)
Republican
1960
Joseph H. Bottum
1962
Nils Boe
23
Nils Boe (1913–1992) [ 73]
January 5, 1965 [ 74] – January 7, 1969(did not run)
Republican
1964
Lem Overpeck
1966
24
Frank Farrar (1929–2021) [ 76]
January 7, 1969 [ 77] – January 5, 1971(lost election)
Republican
1968
James Abdnor
25
Richard F. Kneip (1933–1987) [ 79]
January 5, 1971 [ 80] – July 24, 1978(resigned) [ g]
Democratic
1970
William Dougherty
1972
1974
Harvey Wollman
26
Harvey Wollman (1935–2022) [ 81]
July 24, 1978 [ 82] – January 1, 1979(lost nomination) [ h]
Democratic [ 81]
Succeeded from lieutenant governor
Vacant
27
Bill Janklow (1939–2012) [ 83]
January 1, 1979 [ 84] – January 10, 1987(term-limited) [ i]
Republican [ 83]
1978
Lowell C. Hansen II
1982
28
George S. Mickelson (1941–1993) [ 86]
January 10, 1987 [ 87] – April 19, 1993(died in office)
Republican [ 86]
1986
Walter Dale Miller
1990
29
Walter Dale Miller (1925–2015) [ 88]
April 19, 1993 [ 89] – January 7, 1995(lost nomination)
Republican [ 88]
Succeeded from lieutenant governor
Steve T. Kirby
30
Bill Janklow (1939–2012) [ 83]
January 7, 1995 [ 90] – January 7, 2003(term-limited) [ i]
Republican [ 83]
1994
Carole Hillard
1998
31
Mike Rounds (b. 1954) [ 91]
January 7, 2003 [ 92] – January 8, 2011(term-limited) [ i]
Republican [ 91]
2002
Dennis Daugaard
2006
32
Dennis Daugaard (b. 1953) [ 93]
January 8, 2011 [ 94] – January 5, 2019(term-limited) [ i]
Republican [ 93]
2010
Matt Michels
2014
33
Kristi Noem (b. 1971) [ 95]
January 5, 2019 [ 96] – Incumbent[ j]
Republican [ 95]
2018
Larry Rhoden
2022
See also
Notes
References
General
"Former South Dakota Governors" . National Governors Association. Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
Sobel, Robert (1978). Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. IV . Meckler Books. ISBN 9780930466008 . Retrieved June 13, 2023 .
Kallenbach, Joseph Ernest (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976 . Oceana Publications. ISBN 978-0-379-00665-0 . Retrieved September 23, 2023 .
Dubin, Michael J. (2014). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1861-1911: The Official Results by State and County . McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-5646-8 .
Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978 . Meckler Books. ISBN 978-0-930466-17-6 .
"Our Campaigns - Governor of South Dakota - History" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved July 25, 2023 .
Specific
^ 12 Stat. 239
^ 25 Stat. 676
^ "Arthur Calvin Mellette" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "Dakota Twins!" . The Daily Plainsman . November 4, 1889. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 1889 spec. sess., 7 , accessed July 4, 2023
^ "Charles Henry Sheldon" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 3rd sess., 28 , accessed July 4, 2023
^ "Andrew Ericson Lee" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 5th sess., 3 , accessed July 4, 2023
^ "Charles N. Herreid" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "Gov. Charles N. Herreid Has Been Inaugurated" . Argus-Leader . January 8, 1901. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Samuel Harrison Elrod" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 9th sess., 21 , accessed July 4, 2023
^ "Coe Isaac Crawford" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "In Harness" . The Madison Daily Leader . January 10, 1907. p. 3. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Robert Scadden Vessey" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "Law Makers Begin Grind" . The Miller Press . January 7, 1909. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Frank M. Byrne" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "Wheels Begin to Turn" . Hot Springs Weekly Star . January 10, 1913. p. 4. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Peter Norbeck" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "South Dakota's Legislators Organize Without Friction" . The Daily Deadwood Pioneer-Times . January 3, 1917. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "William Henry McMaster" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "S.D. Legislature Convenes at Pierre in 17th Session; Gov. M'Master Inaugurated" . Argus-Leader . January 4, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Carl Gunderson" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "People Demand Economy, Says New Executive" . Argus-Leader . Associated Press. January 6, 1925. p. 2. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "William John Bulow" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "Bulow Took Oath of Office Monday" . The Daily Deadwood Pioneer-Times . Associated Press. January 4, 1927. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Warren Everett Green" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "Dirt Farmer Takes Official Reins in Inaugural Service" . Rapid City Journal . Associated Press. January 6, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Thomas Matthew Berry" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "Berry, Green Urge Economy" . Argus-Leader . Associated Press. January 3, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Leslie Jensen" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "Jensen Takes Office As Governor" . Deadwood Pioneer-Times . Associated Press. January 6, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Harlan John Bushfield" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "Bushfield Becomes 16th Governor of State; Jensen Urges Speedy Liquidation of Rural Credits" . The Daily Plainsman . Associated Press. January 3, 1939. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Merrell Quentin Sharpe" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 28th sess., 16 , accessed July 4, 2023
^ "George T. Mickelson" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 30th sess., 8 , accessed July 5, 2023
^ "Sigurd Anderson" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 32nd sess., 7 , accessed July 5, 2023
^ "Joseph Jacob Foss" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 34th sess., 8 , accessed July 5, 2023
^ "Ralph E. Herseth" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ "S.D. Session Is Off to Fast Start with 4 Bills" . Argus-Leader . Associated Press. January 7, 1959. p. 2. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "Archie Gubbrud" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 37th sess., 11 , accessed July 5, 2023
^ "Nils Andreas Boe" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 40th sess., 4 , accessed July 5, 2023
^ "Frank Leroy Farrar" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 44th sess., 4 , accessed July 5, 2023
^ a b "Richard Francis Kneip" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate . 46th sess., 4 , accessed July 5, 2023
^ a b "Harvey Wollman" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ Porter, Charlotte (July 25, 1978). "Wollman Inauguration an Event of Contrasting Feelings" . Rapid City Journal . Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ a b c d "William J. Janklow" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ Newhouse, Eric (January 2, 1979). "Janklow Moves Early to Stop Appointments" . Rapid City Journal . Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ "S.D. Const. art. IV, § 2" . www.stateconstitutions.umd.edu . Retrieved December 20, 2023 .
^ a b "George S. Mickelson" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ Bolding, Julie (January 11, 1987). "Mickelson Takes Oath" . Argus-Leader . p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ a b "Walter D. Miller" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ Kranz, David (April 20, 1993). "Miller to Become State's 29th Governor" . Argus-Leader . p. 6A. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ Woster, Terry (January 8, 1995). "Janklow: Let's Work Together" . Argus-Leader . p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ a b "Mike Rounds" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ Kafka, Joe (January 8, 2003). "Rounds Sworn In As S.D. Governor" . Rapid City Journal . Associated Press. p. D7. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ a b "Dennis Daugaard" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ Harriman, Peter (January 9, 2011). "Daugaard Takes Oath with Call for Self-Reliance" . Argus-Leader . p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2023 .
^ a b "Kristi Noem" . National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023 .
^ Kaczke, Lisa. "Gov. Kristi Noem, in historic inauguration, looks to improve South Dakota's future" . Argus Leader . Retrieved October 2, 2023 .
External links