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

For governors before statehood, see List of governors of Dakota Territory.

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. ^[3]

Governors of the State of South Dakota

No.	Governor			Term in office	Party	Election	Lt. Governor [a]
1			Arthur C. Mellette (1842–1896) [4] [5]	November 2, 1889 [b] – January 3, 1893 (did not run) [4]	Republican [8]	1889		James H. Fletcher
						1890		George H. Hoffman
2			Charles H. Sheldon (1840–1898) [9] [10]	January 3, 1893 [11] – January 5, 1897 (did not run)	Republican [8]	1892		Charles N. Herreid
						1894
3			Andrew E. Lee (1847–1934) [12] [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) [15] [16]	January 8, 1901 [17] – January 3, 1905 (did not run) [15]	Republican [8]	1900		George W. Snow
						1902
5			Samuel H. Elrod (1856–1935) [18] [19]	January 3, 1905 [20] – January 8, 1907 (did not run) [18]	Republican [8]	1904		John E. McDougall
6			Coe I. Crawford (1858–1944) [21] [22]	January 8, 1907 [23] – January 5, 1909 (did not run)	Republican [8]	1906		Howard C. Shober
7			Robert S. Vessey (1858–1929) [24] [25]	January 5, 1909 [26] – January 7, 1913 (did not run)	Republican [8]	1908
						1910		Frank M. Byrne
8			Frank M. Byrne (1858–1927) [27] [28]	January 7, 1913 [29] – January 2, 1917 (did not run)	Republican [8]	1912		Edward Lincoln Abel
						1914		Peter Norbeck
9			Peter Norbeck (1870–1936) [30] [31]	January 2, 1917 [32] – January 4, 1921 (did not run) [30]	Republican [8]	1916		William H. McMaster
						1918
10			William H. McMaster (1877–1968) [33] [34]	January 4, 1921 [35] – January 6, 1925 (did not run) [33]	Republican [8]	1920		Carl Gunderson
						1922
11			Carl Gunderson (1864–1933) [36] [37]	January 6, 1925 [38] – January 3, 1927 (lost election)	Republican [8]	1924		Alva Clark Forney
12			William J. Bulow (1869–1960) [39] [40]	January 3, 1927 [41] – January 6, 1931 (did not run)	Democratic [8]	1926		Hyatt E. Covey [c]
						1928		Clarence E. Coyne [c] (died May 27, 1929)
								John T. Grigsby
13			Warren Green (1869–1945) [42] [43]	January 6, 1931 [44] – January 3, 1933 (lost election)	Republican [8]	1930		Odell K. Whitney
14			Tom Berry (1879–1951) [45] [46]	January 3, 1933 [47] – January 5, 1937 (lost election)	Democratic [8]	1932		Hans Ustrud
						1934		Robert Peterson
15			Leslie Jensen (1892–1964) [48] [49]	January 5, 1937 [50] – January 3, 1939 (did not run) [d]	Republican [8]	1936		Donald McMurchie
16			Harlan J. Bushfield (1882–1948) [51] [52]	January 3, 1939 [53] – January 5, 1943 (did not run) [e]	Republican [8]	1938
						1940		A. C. Miller
17			Merrell Q. Sharpe (1888–1962) [54] [55]	January 5, 1943 [56] – January 7, 1947 (lost nomination) [54]	Republican [8]	1942
						1944		Sioux K. Grigsby
18			George T. Mickelson (1903–1965) [57] [58]	January 7, 1947 [59] – January 2, 1951 (did not run) [57]	Republican [8]	1946
						1948		Rex Terry
19			Sigurd Anderson (1904–1990) [60] [61]	January 2, 1951 [62] – January 4, 1955 (did not run)	Republican [8]	1950
						1952
20			Joe Foss (1915–2003) [63] [64]	January 4, 1955 [65] – January 6, 1959 (did not run) [f]	Republican [8]	1954		L. Roy Houck
						1956
21			Ralph Herseth (1909–1969) [66] [67]	January 6, 1959 [68] – January 3, 1961 (lost election)	Democratic [8]	1958		John F. Lindley [c]
22			Archie M. Gubbrud (1910–1987) [69] [70]	January 3, 1961 [71] – January 5, 1965 (did not run)	Republican [8]	1960		Joseph H. Bottum
						1962		Nils Boe
23			Nils Boe (1913–1992) [72] [73]	January 5, 1965 [74] – January 7, 1969 (did not run)	Republican [8]	1964		Lem Overpeck
						1966
24			Frank Farrar (1929–2021) [75] [76]	January 7, 1969 [77] – January 5, 1971 (lost election)	Republican [8]	1968		James Abdnor
25			Richard F. Kneip (1933–1987) [78] [79]	January 5, 1971 [80] – July 24, 1978 (resigned) [g]	Democratic [8]	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

• Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States#South Dakota
• List of South Dakota state legislatures

Notes

1. Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
2. Mellette was territorial governor when South Dakota became a state, and was elected as its first governor. ^{[4] [6]} He was sworn in on October 15, 1889. ^[7]
3. Represented the Republican Party
4. Jensen instead ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination to the United States Senate. ^[48]
5. Bushfield was instead elected to the United States Senate. ^[51]
6. Foss instead ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives. ^[63]
7. Kneip resigned, having been confirmed as United States Ambassador to Singapore. ^[79]
8. Wollman lost the Democratic nomination to Roger D. McKellips.
9. Under a 1972 amendment to the constitution, governors are ineligible to be elected to more than two consecutive terms. ^[85]
10. Noem's second term began on January 7, 2023, and will expire on January 9, 2027; she will be term-limited.

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

1. 12  Stat.   239
2. 25  Stat.   676
3. Kallenbach 1977, pp. 542–544.
4. Sobel 1978, p. 1447.
5. "Arthur Calvin Mellette". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
6. "Dakota Twins!". The Daily Plainsman. November 4, 1889. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
7. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 1889 spec. sess., 7, accessed July 4, 2023
8. Kallenbach 1977, p. 544.
9. Sobel 1978, pp. 1447–1448.
10. "Charles Henry Sheldon". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
11. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 3rd sess., 28, accessed July 4, 2023
12. Sobel 1978, p. 1448.
13. "Andrew Ericson Lee". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
14. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 5th sess., 3, accessed July 4, 2023
15. Sobel 1978, p. 1449.
16. "Charles N. Herreid". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
17. "Gov. Charles N. Herreid Has Been Inaugurated". Argus-Leader. January 8, 1901. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
18. Sobel 1978, pp. 1449–1450.
19. "Samuel Harrison Elrod". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
20. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 9th sess., 21, accessed July 4, 2023
21. Sobel 1978, p. 1450.
22. "Coe Isaac Crawford". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
23. "In Harness". The Madison Daily Leader. January 10, 1907. p. 3. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
24. Sobel 1978, pp. 1450–1451.
25. "Robert Scadden Vessey". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
26. "Law Makers Begin Grind". The Miller Press. January 7, 1909. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
27. Sobel 1978, p. 1451.
28. "Frank M. Byrne". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
29. "Wheels Begin to Turn". Hot Springs Weekly Star. January 10, 1913. p. 4. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
30. Sobel 1978, pp. 1451–1452.
31. "Peter Norbeck". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
32. "South Dakota's Legislators Organize Without Friction". The Daily Deadwood Pioneer-Times. January 3, 1917. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
33. Sobel 1978, p. 1452.
34. "William Henry McMaster". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
35. "S.D. Legislature Convenes at Pierre in 17th Session; Gov. M'Master Inaugurated". Argus-Leader. January 4, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
36. Sobel 1978, p. 1453.
37. "Carl Gunderson". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
38. "People Demand Economy, Says New Executive". Argus-Leader. Associated Press. January 6, 1925. p. 2. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
39. Sobel 1978, pp. 1453–1454.
40. "William John Bulow". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
41. "Bulow Took Oath of Office Monday". The Daily Deadwood Pioneer-Times. Associated Press. January 4, 1927. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
42. Sobel 1978, p. 1454.
43. "Warren Everett Green". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
44. "Dirt Farmer Takes Official Reins in Inaugural Service". Rapid City Journal. Associated Press. January 6, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
45. Sobel 1978, pp. 1454–1455.
46. "Thomas Matthew Berry". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
47. "Berry, Green Urge Economy". Argus-Leader. Associated Press. January 3, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
48. Sobel 1978, p. 1455.
49. "Leslie Jensen". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
50. "Jensen Takes Office As Governor". Deadwood Pioneer-Times. Associated Press. January 6, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
51. Sobel 1978, p. 1456.
52. "Harlan John Bushfield". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
53. "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.
54. Sobel 1978, pp. 1456–1457.
55. "Merrell Quentin Sharpe". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
56. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 28th sess., 16, accessed July 4, 2023
57. Sobel 1978, p. 1457.
58. "George T. Mickelson". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
59. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 30th sess., 8, accessed July 5, 2023
60. Sobel 1978, pp. 1457–1458.
61. "Sigurd Anderson". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
62. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 32nd sess., 7, accessed July 5, 2023
63. Sobel 1978, p. 1458.
64. "Joseph Jacob Foss". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
65. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 34th sess., 8, accessed July 5, 2023
66. Sobel 1978, p. 1459.
67. "Ralph E. Herseth". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
68. "S.D. Session Is Off to Fast Start with 4 Bills". Argus-Leader. Associated Press. January 7, 1959. p. 2. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
69. Sobel 1978, pp. 1459–1460.
70. "Archie Gubbrud". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
71. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 37th sess., 11, accessed July 5, 2023
72. Sobel 1978, p. 1460.
73. "Nils Andreas Boe". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
74. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 40th sess., 4, accessed July 5, 2023
75. Sobel 1978, pp. 1460–1461.
76. "Frank Leroy Farrar". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
77. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 44th sess., 4, accessed July 5, 2023
78. Sobel 1978, p. 1461.
79. "Richard Francis Kneip". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
80. South Dakota Legislature. Journal of the Senate. 46th sess., 4, accessed July 5, 2023
81. "Harvey Wollman". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
82. Porter, Charlotte (July 25, 1978). "Wollman Inauguration an Event of Contrasting Feelings". Rapid City Journal. Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
83. "William J. Janklow". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
84. Newhouse, Eric (January 2, 1979). "Janklow Moves Early to Stop Appointments". Rapid City Journal. Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
85. "S.D. Const. art. IV, § 2". www.stateconstitutions.umd.edu. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
86. "George S. Mickelson". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
87. Bolding, Julie (January 11, 1987). "Mickelson Takes Oath". Argus-Leader. p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
88. "Walter D. Miller". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
89. Kranz, David (April 20, 1993). "Miller to Become State's 29th Governor". Argus-Leader. p. 6A. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
90. Woster, Terry (January 8, 1995). "Janklow: Let's Work Together". Argus-Leader. p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
91. "Mike Rounds". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
92. Kafka, Joe (January 8, 2003). "Rounds Sworn In As S.D. Governor". Rapid City Journal. Associated Press. p. D7. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
93. "Dennis Daugaard". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
94. Harriman, Peter (January 9, 2011). "Daugaard Takes Oath with Call for Self-Reliance". Argus-Leader. p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
95. "Kristi Noem". National Governors Association . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
96. Kaczke, Lisa. "Gov. Kristi Noem, in historic inauguration, looks to improve South Dakota's future". Argus Leader. Retrieved October 2, 2023.

External links

• Office of the Governor of South Dakota