Larson graduated from Vivian High School and received a degree from Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1970.
Larson began his career in politics as a South Dakota field staff member for U.S.
He is the longest-serving constitutional officer in South Dakota's history, and in 1998, he was unopposed for re-election.
This was the first time in South Dakota that a constitutional officer had no opposition in the general election.
He became the first person in South Dakota history to serve in three different statewide executive offices.