PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Before South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem addressed lawmakers Tuesday, current Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden, the man set to succeed her in the governor’s office, commented on why the moment was unique.
“This may well be the last opportunity that I have to introduce the governor,” Rhoden said. “So let me say this: in my estimation, Governor Noem is the perfect example of what it means to be a South Dakotan.”
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Noem’s State of the State address Tuesday did not largely focus on future state policy, but she did touch on proposed school vouchers which would divert public money to private schooling.
“These education savings accounts will support all of our South Dakota students,” Noem said. “We will provide families greater opportunities to choose the best fit for their children’s education.”
The current governor did look ahead to the new role President-elect Donald Trump has selected for her in his second administration, as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, with Noem zeroing in on the country’s border with Mexico in grim terms.
“The invasion is an existential threat to America, and it threatens our national security and our economy,” Noem said.
For now, she still holds office in Pierre, where Noem turned to the national pastime to figuratively pass the torch to Rhoden.
“So, Larry, I have a gift for you,” Noem said, handing Rhoden a baseball bat. “You are next up to bat.”
And as she concluded her address, Noem looked back as well as down the road.
“Although I’m saying farewell, please know that I’m not going far,” Noem said. “South Dakota has always been my home, and it will always be my home. I will continue to focus on making our people safer, stronger and freer. And to the people of South Dakota, thank you for the incredible honor of serving as your state representative, as acongresswoman and now as governor.”
Noem is scheduled to be in Washington Friday morning for a nomination hearing. Following her address Tuesday, KELOLAND News spoke with lawmakers for their reaction to it.
“It was good to hear from Gov. Noem today,” Democratic Sen. Jamie Smith of Sioux Falls said. “Last time she’ll probably be addressing us here in South Dakota. Of course, there are things that I disagree with the governor on, and one of those would be her reflection on education policy through her tenure here in the state. I think if you talked to educators in our state, they wouldn’t say it’s gotten better. There’s definitely challenges in our schools.””I love that she started off with talking about South Dakotans and hard work, determination and grit. I think that really, truly does embody your average South Dakotan,” Republican Rep. Amber Arlint of Sioux Falls said. “So often as legislators, I think we hear from our constituents and we hear the complaints, the concerns, the fear that they may have. So, hearing her top 10, talking about what really is going well in our state was really a nice breath of fresh air, reminds us why we’re here, reminds us why we’re serving our constituents.”
