South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem built a national reputation during the COVID-19 pandemic, got fellow Republicans talking about her future and released two policy memoirs in three years. Lawmakers describe the man expected to replace her as a friendly, outspoken rancher and skilled welder who they expect will focus more on issues within the state.

Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden’s biggest — and fleeting — brush with national fame came in 2017 when he sounded a panic alarm at a hearing to test how quickly police would arrive to support his argument that people should be allowed to carry guns in the Capitol.

He now receives bipartisan praise as a South Dakota-focused conservative well-versed in the workings of the Republican-dominated Legislature.

President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he would nominate Noem, 52, to be the next U.S. secretary of homeland security. If the Senate confirms Noem, Rhoden will automatically become governor. It’s unclear exactly how quickly this could happen.

Noem’s early memoir says Rhoden took her under his wing in 2006 when she won a seat in the South Dakota House, where he was majority leader. He served in the Legislature for 16 years. Noem described Rhoden as “direct and honest” when she named him on her gubernatorial ticket in 2018.

Others describe the 65-year-old as a true western South Dakota rancher. In his photo posted on the governor’s office website, he is outside, wearing a leather jacket and cowboy hat. He operates a custom welding business producing cattle brands.

“He’s legitimately legit,” said Republican state Rep. Greg Jamison of Sioux Falls, one of five House majority whips, calling Rhoden “a true reflection on South Dakota and how anyone across the country would perceive our state.”

State lawmakers don’t expect big policy changes under Rhoden: Like Noem, he embodies the socially conservative, small-government Republican common in the Plains and Western states. But they don’t expect him to devote time to national politics like his predecessor.

Rhoden has always been more visible in the state capital of Pierre, Jamison said.

“Larry is often seen in the halls around the Capitol and at various events. He sees a lot of them. I see him socializing with everyone all the time. Governor Noem was a little more out of sight that way,” he said.

“This is a guy who served on the school board and then ran for the Legislature and did that for a long time and worked his way up,” Jamison said.

Retiring Sen. Lee Schoenbeck, the top GOP leader in the Senate, said Rhoden is a good problem solver, but more importantly, he is a “South Dakota kid.”

“His interests will all be in the (state) 605 area code,” Schoenbeck said.

Term-limited House Speaker Hugh Bartels agreed that Rhoden would provide a distinct type of leadership.

“Oh yeah. I think there will be some style differences,” Bartels said. “They’re just different people.”

Rhoden did not respond to a phone message seeking comment Wednesday.

Noem posted on the social platform X that she is honored and touched that Trump chose her. She did not address the transition in South Dakota in her post.

Before Noem, perhaps South Dakota’s two best-known political figures were Democrats: former U.S. Sen. George McGovern, the party’s 1972 presidential candidate, and former Senate Majority Leader American Tom Daschle. South Dakota hasn’t elected a Democratic governor in 45 years, and more than 90 percent of the state’s 35 senators and 70 members of the House of Representatives will be Republicans after this year’s elections.

The dominance of GOP conservatives has not always been synonymous with harmony. Some far-right Republicans have sparred with Noem and other more established Republicans over issues including tax cuts, COVID-19 vaccine exemptions, transgender athletes, commercial surrogacy and women’s rights. landowners.

Lawmakers allied with the Freedom Caucus, formed in 2022 to push the Legislature and Noem to the right, will lead both chambers in January.

Michael Card, professor emeritus of political science at the University of South Dakota, said “the Freedom Caucus probably would have wanted a pound of flesh” if Noem had not been appointed to a Cabinet position. He warned that “Mr. Rhoden may face battles simply of guilt by association.”

But lawmakers generally praised Rhoden for his ability to build alliances and work across the board.

Republican state Rep. Tony Venhuizen of Sioux Falls said relationship building has always been Rhoden’s “real strength.”

New House Minority Leader Erin Healy, a Democrat from Sioux Falls, welcomed the transition.

“Lt. Governor Rhoden has demonstrated his willingness to collaborate,” Healy said. “So I’m very optimistic that as governor he will foster an open and transparent dialogue with the Legislature.”