Kristi Noem

Who is Kristi Noem?

Kristi Noem is an American politician who currently serves as the 33rd governor of South Dakota, making her the first woman to hold this position in the state's history. Prior to her governorship, she served in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, representing South Dakota's at-large congressional district.

Aside from her political career, Noem is also a rancher and businesswoman. She grew up on a farm and ranch near Castlewood, South Dakota, and later attended Northern State University and South Dakota State University. Her public service began in the South Dakota state legislature where she served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. In 2010, she was elected to the US House of Representatives where she developed a reputation as a fiscal conservative and a strong advocate for agriculture and rural development.

Political Record and Priorities

Noem's political record and priorities center around limited government, economic growth, and conservative values. She has championed tax cuts, deregulation, and workforce development policies that aim to foster economic growth and job creation. As governor, she has taken a conservative approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic, eschewing statewide lockdowns and mask mandates in favor of targeted mitigation efforts and a reliance on personal responsibility.

Although Noem has been praised by many conservatives for her bold leadership style, she has also faced criticism from some quarters for her handling of the pandemic and her perceived lack of action on issues like criminal justice reform and education funding. Nevertheless, she remains a rising star in the Republican Party and a popular figure in her home state of South Dakota.