Governor #30: Marion Michael Rounds

Pierre, South Dakota

In office 2003-2011

Mike Rounds grew up in Pierre and entered the South Dakota governor's race in 2002 as an extreme long shot, but he won the election and went on to serve two full terms. He's perhaps best known for successfully leading the state's efforts to convert the abandoned Homestake Gold Mine into a scientific laboratory for research into dark matter and neutrino physics.

Rounds endured his share of political controversy -- his state tourism director killed himself in an embezzlement scandal -- which perhaps is why James Michael Maher has sculpted him holding a rifle with his hunting dog "Baby." With the gun on his hip, Rounds appears to be guarding the governor's mansion, where the statue stands, from those who would disrespect South Dakota.