Freshly 79 years old, independent Rick Knobe is still thinking out loud about running for Governor:
I haven’t communicated my progress on the decision to run for governor. I’ve spent a lot of time with docs, getting tested for various things. So far, no major problems detected. I have one more test in the middle of this month. Assuming that goes well, I can make a decision with a clean and clear conscience.
…I’m convinced people are looking for change in South Dakota, including many members of the majority party. Yes, not every Republican is enamored with Trump and the four governor candidates loyal to him. Sadly, those Republicans are staying silent.
Over 40 years of one-party control has NOT been good for any of us. We do some things well. But in many areas, we are either mediocre or less.
I promise a final decision before Christmas [Rick Knobe, “As Former Sioux Falls Mayor Rick Knobe Marks His 79th Birthday, He Continues to Consider a Run for Governor,” South Dakota Standard, 2025.12.06].
Knobe has held one political office, mayor of Sioux Falls, serving two five-year terms from 1974 to 1984. When he chose not to stand for reëlection in 1984, Knobe suggested he might someday run for Legislature, but he didn’t try that until 2020, when he ran an unsuccessful independent campaign for District 25 Senate.
I don’t know how many former mayors have run for Governor, but I can only find one former mayor among the 34 people who have served in the office*. William J. Bulow, South Dakota’s first Democratic Governor, was mayor of Beresford from 1912 to 1913, interrupting a 25-year stint as city attorney from 1902 to 1927. He then served two two-year terms as Governor and two terms as U.S. Senator.
Since I first noted with pleasure Knobe’s consideration of a run in early September, Native activist and disaffected Democrat Allison Renville from Sisseton has declared her independent candidacy for Governor. No big-name Democrat has entered the field to challenge first-time candidate and student Robert Arnold. Governor Larry Rhoden has made his bid for reëlection official, but Congressman Dusty Johnson remains the frontrunner for the GOP nomination over the plodding Rhoden and two angry wingnuts.
Christmas is a good time for Knobe and all other potential candidates to decide, as petitioning for governor and other elected offices begins January 1. Partisan candidates have until March 25 to file their petitions with the Secretary of State; independents like Knobe get until April 29 to collect their necessary 3,502 signatures.
*Vitally Important Correction—18:29 CST: An eager reader with encyclopedic knowledge of South Dakota’s gubernatoriat informs me two South Dakotans have gone from a mayor’s seat to the Governor’s office. Pettigroovian fusion/populist Andrew E. Lee served as mayor of Vermillion before becoming South Dakota’s third Governor, serving from 1897 to 1901. Wikipedia doesn’t mention Lee’s mayoralty yet, but the Trail of Governors bio does. (Total trivia: Lee’s nephew Carl Gunderson became our 11th Governor, serving one term, from 1925 to 1927.)
So now Rick’s chance sof becoming Governor have doubled, right? ;-)
You know, I thought he was too young when he first ran for office. He’s about right now.
Nobody is independent.
Refuse to sign his petition, Democrats.
Since its announced on Christmas day, why not “Knobe day, Knobe day on the birthday of our savior.” That’s one. Sung to Oh Christmas Tree.
Two could be, “79 and 79 the age of our king and Knobe.” Just a campaign message no singing, although the same tune would do. This could be really fun, in an independent way of course.
No one over 70 should be elected to any major office. Even though he’s a good man and grew into being a great mayor, I think anyone his age is far past his or her prime.
I don’t belong to any political party, but I so hate having just Republicans in almost all of our public offices. They have no platform and worse yet, no ideology.
I’ve read a great deal of what Rick Knobe writes on The South Dakota Standard and I think he’s better than anyone else that has put their foot forward. Who cares how old he is, mentally he is way younger than our president. Rick knows where he stands on issues without pussy footing around and saying nothing. Read his articles, he’s saner than anyone else running for governor. He may be in better shape as well. Politicians, ranchers and many other men in this state simply don’t work out or take care of themselves. Rick does.
And women like him because he’s a gentleman and egalitarian.
Tough to question a comment from someone who might excuse a gentleman suffering with narcissistic personality disorder no matter whose stripe.
Democrats should be focused on drafting a strong Democrat to enter the gubernatorial primary instead of coddling an elderly spoiler like Knobe.
He’s not running but will support anyone else who does for Democrat or Independent.
Mr. Knobe is a fine enough fellow, despite the schnoz, but Mr. Pay is righter than right. We all are far too old to serve. But we can advise.