A Sioux Falls lawmaker is set to become South Dakota’s next lieutenant governor.  Governor Larry Rhoden has nominated Republican Rep. Tony Venhuizen to succeed him after former Gov. Kristi Noem resigned last week to join President Donald Trump’s cabinet. Venhuizen, 42, is in his second term representing District 13 in the state House. A former chief of staff under both Noem and Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Venhuizen is known as a pragmatic conservative and a prolific political fundraiser. He’s also served on the South Dakota Board of Regents, and currently leads the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation. At a press conference this morning, Gov. Rhoden said he chose Venhuizen for his integrity, adding, “I wanted a person with integrity above all else.”

The appointment, which requires confirmation by the state House and Senate, will be reviewed by a special committee this Wednesday. A vote is set for Thursday. Venhuizen is an attorney with a history degree from South Dakota State University and a law degree from the University of South Dakota. He is married with three children.  If confirmed, Gov. Rhoden will need to appoint someone to fill Venhuizen’s House seat.