(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News)
South Dakota’s new governor, Larry Rhoden, a Republican, has emerged as one of the region’s most popular state executives, according to recent polling data showing varying levels of support for governors across the Northern Plains.
Rhoden, who took office in January after former Governor Kristi Noem resigned to become U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, holds a +34 percent net approval rating. This rating places him among the most popular governors nationwide, according to Morning Consult’s latest quarterly tracking poll released this week.
Regional Ratings
The data shows stark contrasts in how residents view their state leaders across the Northern Plains region. Neighboring states report significantly different levels of support for their governors.
North Dakota’s Governor, Kelly Armstrong, a Republican, posted a +49 percent approval rating, according to the data from Morning Consult. Wyoming’s Mark Gordon, a Republican, registered +34 percent, and Montana’s Greg Gianforte, a Republican, showed a +22 percent rating.
Iowa’s Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, continues to struggle with voter satisfaction. With a -5 percent net approval rating, Reynolds is the nation’s most unpopular governor—the only governor nationwide with more disapprovals than approvals, according to the Morning Consult poll.
According to Morning Consult’s data, Minnesota’s Tim Walz, a Democrat, has solid support with a +17 percent approval rating, relatively unchanged from before his vice presidential campaign last year.
Republican Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s ratings showed a +15 percent net approval, according to the same poll.
Rhoden’s Transition Brings Stability
Rhoden’s strong numbers come less than three months after his January swearing-in ceremony. Colleagues described the West River rancher and longtime legislator as a “rock steady hand” navigating the leadership transition after Noem’s departure, according to reporting by the South Dakota Searchlight.
Dan Ahlers, executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, who previously served with Rhoden in the legislature, told the Searchlight that the new governor would likely be more “attentive” to the state than his predecessor.
Rhoden has prioritized addressing the state’s prison infrastructure needs and pursuing property tax relief. He has maintained most of Noem’s policy positions while adopting a less confrontational governing approach.
Regional Disparities Evident
While Rhoden enjoys strong support, the region’s governors face varying levels of approval, reflecting diverse political landscapes. The wide variance in approval ratings across the Plains states reflects different governance styles and policy priorities.
Reynolds, who has been Iowa’s governor since 2017, has seen her support steadily decline over the past year. According to Morning Consult analysis from January, her numbers dropped significantly after she opposed former President Donald Trump’s candidacy and endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 presidential primary, which may have contributed to her declining approval ratings.
In contrast, Walz has maintained relatively stable support in Minnesota, even after his bid as Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election.
For new governors like Armstrong in North Dakota and Rhoden in South Dakota, early approval ratings serve as an important benchmark; they help establish their administrations and shape their political futures.
What It Means For Residents
Varying approval ratings influence how effectively governors implement policies affecting everyday life in their states.
In South Dakota, Rhoden’s strong support may help advance his legislative priorities. The governor recently announced plans to slow property tax increases over a five-year period and has committed to building a new men’s prison to replace the aging facility in Sioux Falls.
Meanwhile, Reynolds still has problems in Iowa despite Republican control of the statehouse. Her low approval could potentially limit her ability to implement conservative policies effectively.
For residents across the region, these approval ratings reflect political preferences and genuine concerns about economic conditions, tax policies, and social issues.
The Morning Consult tracking poll is based on surveys conducted from January through March 2025 among registered voters in each state. Margins of error vary by state.
The Republican political blog, the Dakota War College, first reported Rhoden’s numbers in the poll.
