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Kristi Noem
Governor of South Dakota since 2019 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kristi Lynn Noem (/noʊm/; née Arnold; born November 30, 1971) is an American politician. Noem is the 33rd and current Governor of South Dakota since 2019. She was the U.S. Representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2019. Before, she was a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives for the 6th district from 2007 to 2011. Noem is a member of the Republican Party.
Kristi Noem | |
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![]() Official portrait, 2023 | |
33rd Governor of South Dakota | |
Assumed office January 5, 2019 | |
Lieutenant | Larry Rhoden |
Preceded by | Dennis Daugaard |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Dakota's at-large district | |
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Stephanie Herseth Sandlin |
Succeeded by | Dusty Johnson |
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 6th district | |
In office January 9, 2007 – January 11, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Art Fryslie |
Succeeded by | Burt Tulson |
Personal details | |
Born | Kristi Lynn Arnold (1971-11-30) November 30, 1971 (age 52) Watertown, South Dakota, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Bryon Noem (m. 1992) |
Children | 3 |
Education | South Dakota State University (BA) |
Noem was elected governor in the 2018 election, beating Billie Sutton.[1] During her time as governor, she became known for her refusal to issue a face mask mandate in South Dakota during the COVID-19 pandemic and for her strict response to protests surrounding the Keystone Pipeline. In 2022, Noem was re-elected by a landslide.
In August 2013, conservative Newsmax magazine named Noem among the "25 most influential women in the GOP".[2] She was seen as a possible vice presidential pick for former President Donald Trump's re-election campaign in the 2024 election.[3][4]
Living in rural South Dakota, Noem is also a farmer and a rancher.[5] Noem released her first autobiography, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland in 2022.[6] In her second autobiography, No Going Back, set to be released in 2024, Noem talked about a time in which she shot and killed her young dog that because of how he behaved.[7][8] This caused criticisms from Democrats and Republicans. Noem said that she was a "responsible owner" who made a tough decision.[5][8]