When a regional government for Schleswig-Holstein was established at Schleswig on 1 October 1834, Rist became First Councillor, a position he would retain till 7 September 1846. However when, in the context of growing ethnically fueled separatism, the king placed Ludvig Nicolaus von Scheele in charge of the government, widespread dissatisfaction ensued, and in 1846 Rist was one of six senior government ministers who fell into disgrace and were dismissed from office. The government structure itself lasted only another five years, after which, in 1852, separate ministries were created for Schleswig and for Holstein.