Kristi Noem

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kristi Noem
Kristi Noem
Noem in 2020
33rd Governor of South Dakota
Assumed office
January 5, 2019
LieutenantLarry Rhoden
Preceded byDennis 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 byStephanie Herseth Sandlin
Succeeded byDusty Johnson
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
from the 6th district
In office
January 9, 2007 – January 11, 2011
Preceded byArt Fryslie
Succeeded byBurt Tulson
Personal details
Born
Kristi Lynn Arnold

(1971-11-30) November 30, 1971 (age 49)
Watertown, South Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Bryon Noem
​
(m. 1992)​
Children3
ResidenceGovernor's Residence
Alma materSouth Dakota State University (BA)
OccupationFarmer, rancher, politician

Kristi Lynn Noem (/noʊm/; née Arnold; born November 30, 1971) is an American politician serving as the 33rd governor of South Dakota since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she was the U.S. Representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2019 and a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives for the 6th district from 2007 to 2011. Noem was elected governor in 2018 and is South Dakota's first female governor.[1]

Elected as an ally of Donald Trump, .[2][3] she explicitly refused to follow the guidance of medical experts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and did not enact any of the standard public health and safety protections used in other states.[4][5][6] Noem did not implement face mask mandates, raised doubts about the efficacy of mask-wearing, encouraged large gatherings without social distancing or mask-wearing, and questioned public health experts' advice.[7][8][9]

Early life and education[]

Kristi Noem was born to Ron and Corinne Arnold in Watertown, South Dakota, and raised with her siblings on their family ranch and farm in rural Hamlin County.[10] She has Norwegian ancestry.[11] Noem graduated from Hamlin High School in 1990, and won the South Dakota Snow Queen title. She credits that experience with helping her polish her public speaking and promotional skills.[12]

After high school, Noem attended Northern State University from 1990 to 1994. She married Bryon Noem at age 20, in 1992, in Watertown, South Dakota.[13]

Noem's father was killed in a farm machinery accident.[10][14] Noem added a hunting lodge and restaurant to the family property. Her siblings moved back to help expand the businesses.[10] After her father's death, Noem took classes at the Watertown campus of Mount Marty College and at South Dakota State University, and online classes from the University of South Dakota.[10][12][15]

South Dakota House of Representatives[]

In 2006, Noem won a seat as a Republican in the South Dakota House of Representatives representing the 6th District (comprising parts of Beadle, Clark, Codington, Hamlin, and Kingsbury counties, but not including Watertown). In 2006, she won with 39% of the vote.[16] In 2008, she was reelected to a second term with 41%.[17]

Noem served for four years, from 2007 to 2010; she was an Assistant Majority Leader during her last year.[18][19] In 2009 and 2010 she sponsored bills to lower the age of compulsory education in South Dakota to 16, after it had been raised to 18 in 2008, arguing that requiring school attendance until age 18 has not been proven to improve graduation rates.[20]

She was on the State Affairs Committee and Taxation Committee[21]

U.S. House of Representatives[]

Elections[]

2010
Main article: 2010 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota

In 2010, Noem ran for South Dakota's at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.[22] She won the Republican primary with a plurality of 42% of the vote against South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson and State Representative Blake Curd.[23] Her primary opponents endorsed her in the general election.[18]

Noem's opponent, incumbent Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, emphasized her own record of independence from the Democratic caucus, including her votes against health care reform, the Wall Street bailouts, and the cap-and-trade energy bill. In response, Noem repeatedly highlighted Herseth Sandlin's vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. During the 2010 election cycle, Noem outraised Herseth Sandlin, $2.3 million to $2.1 million.[24][25] Noem defeated Herseth Sandlin, 48% to 46%.[26]

2012
Main article: 2012 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota

Noem was reelected to a second term, defeating Democrat Matthew Varilek, 57%–43%.[27]

2014
Main article: 2014 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota

Noem was reelected to a third term, defeating Democrat Corinna Robinson, 67%–33%.[28]

2016
Main article: 2016 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota

Noem was reelected to a fourth term, defeating Democrat Paula Hawks, 64%–36%.[29]

Tenure[]

Noem during the 112th United States Congress

Noem was the fourth woman to represent South Dakota in Congress.[30] She and freshman Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina were elected by the 2011 House Republican 87-member freshman class as liaisons to the House Republican leadership, making Noem the second woman member of House GOP leadership.[31] According to The Hill, her role was to push the leadership to make significant cuts to federal government spending and to help Speaker John Boehner manage the expectations of the freshman class.[32] In March 2011, Republican Representative Pete Sessions of Texas named Noem one of the 12 regional directors for the National Republican Congressional Committee during the 2012 election campaign.[10][33]

After being elected to Congress, Noem continued her education through online courses. The Washington Post dubbed her Capitol Hill's "most powerful intern" for receiving college intern credits from her position as a member of Congress.[34] She earned a B.A. in political science from South Dakota State University in 2012.[35]

On March 8, 2011, she announced the formation of a leadership political action committee, KRISTI PAC[36] and said she would use the PAC to pay expenses and support other Republican candidates. Former South Dakota Lieutenant Governor Steve Kirby is its treasurer.[37][38][39] Noem was among the top freshman Republicans in PAC fundraising in the first quarter of 2011, raising $169,000 from PACs and hosting at least 10 Washington fundraisers.[40] She said she had no plans to join the House Tea Party Caucus.[41]

Taxes[]

In 2018, Noem was reported to have "pitched the idea to members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus" to attach her online sales tax bill to the government funding package as part of an omnibus. A court case under consideration in the South Dakota Supreme Court involved requiring "certain out-of-state retailers to collect its sales taxes." Noem said that South Dakota businesses (and by extension businesses nationwide) "could be forced to comply with 1,000 different tax structures nationwide without the tools necessary to do so", adding that her legislation "provides a necessary fix."[42]

Noem has called the budget deficit one of the most important issues facing Congress. She cosponsored H. J. Res. 2, which would require that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts.[43][44] She cited the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medicaid, high-speed rail projects, cap-and-trade technical assistance, and subsidies for the Washington Metro rapid transit system as examples of federal programs where she would like to see cuts.[45][43][46][47]

Noem indicated that she would vote to raise the federal spending limit,[31] and wanted to eliminate the estate tax,[48] lower the corporate tax rate, and simplify the tax code.[10] She also said she would not raise taxes to balance the budget.[49] On a floor speech Noem misleadingly claimed her family was burdened by taxes on her father's estate; the government subsidies their farm received while paying them were more than 20 times the taxes due.[6]

Human trafficking[]

Noem promoted legislation to combat human trafficking and sexual slavery.[50][51]

Health care[]

Noem opposes the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and has voted to repeal it.[52][53] Having unsuccessfully sought to repeal it, she sought to defund it while retaining measures such as the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the provision allowing parents to keep their children on their health insurance plan into their 20s, and the high-risk pools.[54] Noem wanted to add such provisions to federal law as limits on medical malpractice lawsuits and allowing patients to buy health insurance plans from other states.[54] She supported cuts to Medicaid funding proposed by Republican Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan. A study found that this action would reduce benefits for South Dakota Medicaid recipients by 55%.[45]

Social issues[]

Noem is anti-abortion.[55] She has the support of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List.[56] She said she intended to maintain her 100% anti-abortion voting record.[48][57] Noem also opposes same-sex marriage. In 2015 she said she disagreed with Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional.[58]

Energy and environment[]

U.S. Representative Noem 113th Congress portrait

Noem has said that the U.S. must end its dependence on foreign oil. To achieve that goal, she says Congress should encourage conservation of existing resources.[59] She supports continuing ethanol subsidies that benefit her state[60] and opposes ending federal subsidies for oil companies.[45]

Noem supported the Keystone XL Pipeline and promised to continue to work for its construction after the U.S. Senate voted down legislation to advance the pipeline through Congress.[61] She helped the House pass the legislation on November 14, 2014.[61]

Noem opposed a bill introduced by South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson that would designate over 48,000 acres (190 km2) of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland as protected wilderness.[62] She supports the current designation of the land as a national grassland.[63] She pointed out that the land is already managed as roadless areas similar to wilderness[64] and argued that changing the land's designation to wilderness would further limit leaseholder access to the land and imperil grazing rights.[63][64]

Noem supports off-shore oil drilling.[65] She co-sponsored three bills that she argued would reduce American dependence on foreign oil by ending the 2010 United States deepwater drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico and reopening sales on oil leases in the Gulf and off the coast of Virginia.[66] In 2011, she sponsored a measure to block Environmental Protection Agency funding for tighter air pollution standards for coarse particulates.[67]

Foreign affairs[]

Noem supported the NATO-led military intervention in the 2011 Libyan civil war,[why?] but questioned whether the United States intervened to protect civilians, or whether the U.S. military would try to remove then-leader Muammar Gaddafi.[68] In March of that year, she called on President Obama to provide more information about the role of the U.S. in the conflict, characterizing his statements as vague and ambiguous.[68][69]

Immigrants and refugees[]

Noem supported President Donald Trump's 2017 Executive Order 13769 that suspended the U.S. refugee program for 120 days and banned all travel to the U.S. by nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days.[70] She said she supported a temporary ban on accepting refugees from "terrorist-held" areas,[71] but "did not address whether she supports other aspects of the order, which led to the detention of legal U.S. residents such as green-card holders and people with dual citizenship as they reentered the country" in the aftermath of the order's issuance.[70]

Committee assignments

  • Committee on Ways and Means
    • Subcommittee on Human Resources
    • Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures

Caucus memberships

Governor of South Dakota[]

2018 election[]

Main article: 2018 South Dakota gubernatorial election

On November 14, 2016, Noem announced that she would run for governor of South Dakota in 2018 rather than seek reelection to Congress.[76] She defeated South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley in the June 5 Republican primary, 56% to 44%,[77][78] and Democratic nominee Billie Sutton in the general election, 51.0% to 47.6%.[79]

Tenure[]

Noem was sworn in as governor of South Dakota on January 5, 2019, the first woman in that office in the state.[80] Since 2019 Noem has worked with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski on strategy and messaging.[6]

Concealed carry[]

On January 31, 2019, Noem signed a bill into law abolishing the permit requirement to carry a concealed handgun.[81][82][83]

Marriage[]

As part of her Family First Initiative, Noem promised to protect religious liberty and traditional marriage. She described marriage as a "God-given union between one man and one woman" and referred to the Supreme Court's decision as an attempt to silence those with traditional beliefs.[84]

Abortion[]

Noem has signed several bills restricting abortion, saying that the bills would "crack down on abortion providers in South Dakota". She also said, "A strong and growing body of medical research provides evidence that unborn babies can feel, think, and recognize sounds in the womb. These are people, they must be given the same basic dignities as anyone else."[85][86]

Trade[]

In February 2019, she said that the Trump administration's trade wars with China and the European Union had devastated South Dakota's economy, particularly the agricultural sector, "by far" the state's largest industry.[87]

Anti-protest legislation[]

In response to protests against the Keystone Pipeline, Noem's office collaborated with the energy company TransCanada Corporation to develop anti-protest legislation, which Noem signed into law in March 2019. The law created a fund to cover the costs of policing pipeline protests. Another law was passed to raise revenue for the fund by creating civil penalties for advising, directing, or encouraging participation in rioting. The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation banned Noem from their grounds as a result. The Indigenous Environmental Network, Sierra Club, and other groups challenged the laws in suits, arguing that the laws violated First Amendment rights by incentivizing the state to sue protesters.[88]

"Meth. We're on It" Campaign[]

On November 18, 2019, Noem released a new meth awareness campaign named "Meth. We're on It". The campaign was widely mocked and Noem was criticized for spending $449,000 while using a Minnesota firm.[89] She defended the campaign as successful in raising awareness.[90]

Opposition to cannabis legalization[]

In 2020, Noem opposed two ballot measures to legalize cannabis for medical use and recreational use in South Dakota,[91] saying, "The fact is, I've never met someone who got smarter from smoking pot. It's not good for our kids. And it's not going to improve our communities."[92] After both measures passed, she and two police officers filed a lawsuit seeking a court decision against the measure legalizing recreational use, Amendment A.[93][94] On February 8, 2021, circuit court judge Christina Klinger struck down the amendment as unconstitutional.[95] After Noem brought the lawsuit, she sought to delay the implementation of medical marijuana for a year.[96] Ultimately, her efforts failed and medical marijuana became legal on July 1, 2021.[97]

Noem has also opposed the cultivation of industrial hemp, vetoing a bill that passed the South Dakota House and Senate in 2019 to legalize hemp cultivation. She said, "There is no question in my mind that normalizing hemp, like legalizing medical marijuana, is part of a larger strategy to undermine enforcement of the drug laws and make legalized marijuana inevitable."[98]

COVID-19 pandemic[]

Noem speaking at a Turning Point USA event in 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic in South Dakota, Noem has taken a hands-off approach. She used pandemic relief funds in November 2020 to promote tourism during a surge in cases in the state.[4] She did not implement face mask mandates, she raised doubts about the efficacy of mask-wearing, encouraged large gatherings without social distancing or mask-wearing, and questioned the advice of public health experts.[99][8] As of December 2020, she was one of few governors who had not issued statewide stay-at-home orders or face-mask mandates.[100][101] Her response mirrored Trump's rhetoric and handling of COVID-19.[8][9] She was rewarded for her COVID-19 response with a speech at the August 2020 Republican National Convention, which elevated her national profile.[9][102] The Argus Leader described the RNC speech as a "defining moment in her political career."[103]

Early in the pandemic, Noem requested that the legislature pass a bill giving the state health secretary and county officials the power to close businesses and other entities.[104] The House rejected the bill.[105] On March 13, 2020, Noem ordered K-12 schools to close,[106][107] and on April 6, 2020, she extended that order for the remainder of the school year.[108][109] Also on April 6, Noem ordered businesses and local governments to practice social distancing and other CDC guidelines.[109][110]

Early on, Noem also emphasized South Dakota's role in evaluating hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug that Trump had touted, when he tweeted, "HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN, taken together, have a real chance to be one of the biggest game-changers in the history of medicine."[111] It has never been shown to be useful in treating COVID-19 but can produce fatal cardiac arrythmia.[112][113] Azithromycin can also precipitate irregular heart rhythms with potential fatal consequences.[114]

South Dakota had one of the largest outbreaks in the U.S.[115] The Smithfield Foods production plant in Sioux Falls had four deaths, with nearly 1,300 workers and their family members testing positive.[116] Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar misinformed a group of legislators that meatpacking plants employees were not likely to be infected at work, but that their "home and social" habits were spreading the contagion. Noem may have been the first officeholder to publicly express that view. On April 13, 2020, of an outbreak where hundreds of workers had tested positive at a Smithfield pork plant, she told Fox News, "We believe that 99 percent of what's going on today wasn't happening inside the facility". The industry didn't explain the deaths from COVID-19 of USDA food-safety inspectors from three plants. Almost 200 inspectors contracted symptomatic covid.[117] In the pandemic's early days, the Food Safety and Inspection Service did not provide protective equipment to its monitors, forbidding them from wearing masks in the slaughterhouses as it feared that might accentuate the risks. On April 9, 2020, the agency said its inspectors would be allowed to wear masks if the meatpacking plants' owners gave the federal employees permission to do so. Inspectors were expected to supply their own masks.[117] A month later, after publication of the risk for spreading the coronavirus, the USDA at last started giving its inspectors masks.[117] Noem had said that the plant was in full operation as an essential food manufacturing facility.[118] Forty-eight of Smithfield's workers were hospitalized.[119] On April 6, Noem issued an executive order that said people "shall" follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;[120] she also ordered everyone over age 65 in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties to stay home for three weeks.[121][122]

Noem did not mandate social distancing or the wearing of face masks at a July 3 event at Mount Rushmore with Trump present. Health experts warned that large gatherings without social distancing or mask-wearing posed a risk to public health.[123] Noem doubted scientific recommendations on the usefulness of masks.[124] In an opinion piece in the Rapid City Journal, she defended her views, citing analysis by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, a group known for promoting pseudoscience.[124] The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons had called vaccination the equivalent of "human experimentation."[125] COVID-19 patients hospitalized on October 22 reached a record high of 355, including 75 in Intensive Care Units. South Dakota's two largest hospital systems rescheduled elective procedures to increase available space and personnel to accommodate the surge. In the absence of a statewide mask mandate, hospital systems urged people to wear masks while in the company of those outside their own households. Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken advised his constituents, "Wear a dang mask."[124]

Sixteen weeks after Trump's executive order that provided enhanced weekly unemployment benefits of $300 as part of the U.S. federal government response to the pandemic, Noem opted out of the program, citing a low state unemployment rate.[126] South Dakota was the only state to refuse the assistance.[127] Its jobless rate in June was 7.2%, up from 3.1% in March, though down from 10.9% in April.[119] Acceptance of the funding required the state to augment the benefit by $100 unless other jobless assistance allowed for the match to be waived.[127]

South Dakota is one of two states in the U.S. to offer no emergency financial assistance to renters during the pandemic.[128]

Noem supported the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August 2020, despite warnings from experts who argued that it could be a superspreading event.[129][130] Nearly 500,000 bikers attended the event.[131] Public health notices were issued for saloons and other businesses in the Sturgis area. By the end of August, dozens of cases linked to attendance at the event were reported in several states.[132][133][134]

In September, amid a surge of new cases, Noem announced that she would spend $5 million of relief funding on a state tourism campaign.[4] She used $819,000 of those funds to have the state's Department of Tourism run a 30-second Fox News commercial she narrated during the 2020 Republican National Convention.[135] During September, over 550 students became infected at South Dakota universities; 200 more cases were reported in K–12 schools.[119]

In October, as South Dakota reported the country's second-highest number of new covid cases per capita and hospitals began to prioritize treatment of severe covid cases over lesser ones, Noem said the higher case numbers were because of more testing, despite the positive test rate and hospitalization rate also increasing.[136]

In February 2021, Noem signed a bill limiting civil liability for certain exposures to COVID-19. The bill exempts health care providers and other businesses, including those selling personal protective equipment, from lawsuits unless COVID-19 exposure was the result of gross negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct.[137]

In May 2021, Noem signed an executive order prohibiting government facilities from requiring proof of vaccination to access services. She said, "We are not going to restrict South Dakotans' exercise of their freedoms with un-American policies like vaccine passports."[138]

In July 2021, Noem criticized other Republican governors for enacting mandatory measures against COVID-19 and trying to "rewrite history" about it.[139] She argued that South Dakota had effectively combated the pandemic by instead testing and isolating cases; in fact, South Dakota had the 10th-highest death rate and third-highest case rate at that time.[139]

Mandatory vaccinations[]

In February 2020, Noem announced her opposition to a bill prohibiting schools and universities from requiring students to get vaccinated.[140] In 2021, she opposed legislation to prohibit businesses from requiring vaccinations as a condition for employment and suggested that anti-vaccine workers find jobs elsewhere.[141]

Governor's mansion fence[]

In May 2019, Noem proposed to build a fence around the governor's mansion, estimated to cost approximately $400,000, but retracted the proposal.[142][143] On August 12, 2020, it was announced the 2019 project would be revived, citing Noem's security team's recommendations.[144]

2020 presidential election[]

Noem claimed that the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump, was marred by widespread voter fraud; no evidence supports this claim.[145] On December 8, 2020, she tacitly acknowledged that Biden won when she referred to a "Biden administration" during her annual state budget address. But even after Biden's inauguration, Noem still refused to accept that the election was "free and fair."[146][147][148] Noem had been designated as member of the Trump slate of South Dakota's three presidential electors,[149] but later withdrew from that duty and was replaced by South Dakota Republican Party chairman Dan Lederman. (On December 14, 2020, Lederman, Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden, and State Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg cast South Dakota's three electoral votes for Republican candidates Trump and Mike Pence, who carried South Dakota, receiving 261,043 votes to 150,471 for the Democratic Biden-Harris ticket).[150][151]

After the U.S. Capitol was attacked by a pro-Trump mob on January 6, 2021, disrupting the counting of the electoral votes and the formalization of Biden's victory, Noem spoke out against the violence, saying, "We are all entitled to peacefully protest. Violence is not a part of that."[152][153] One day after calling for peace and reconciliation in the aftermath of the assault on the Capitol, Noem described two newly elected Democratic senators from Georgia, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, as "communists" in an op-ed in The Federalist, a conservative online publication. South Dakota Democrats criticized Noem's claim.[154]

2021 Conservative Political Action Conference[]

In February 2021, Noem attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida, and spoke at the event. She criticized New York governor Andrew Cuomo's nursing home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as Anthony Fauci and Joe Biden's policies.[155] A CPAC straw poll found that 4% of attendees wanted Noem to run for president in 2024, putting her in third place behind Trump and Ron DeSantis. Another poll had 11% of attendees wanting her to launch a White House run if Trump does not run, which put her in second place behind DeSantis.[156]

2021 LGBTQ legislation[]

On March 10, 2021, Noem signed S.B.124 into law. The religious freedom bill's supporters said its purpose was to protect churches from closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was edited to be more broad, sparking backlash from civil rights groups who said it would enable discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, women, and members of minority faiths.[157][158] This bill was the first religious freedom restoration act signed into law in six years and resembles the 2015 bill signed into law by Indiana Governor Mike Pence.[159]

On March 8, Noem announced on Twitter that she would sign into law H.B. 1217, the Women's Fairness in Sports Bill,[160] which bans transgender athletes from playing on or against women's school and college sports teams. Some critics of the bill say they are worried it might turn away business and cost the state money.[161] On March 19, Noem issued a style and form veto to H.B. 1217 that substantially altered the bill, not just correcting grammar and spelling mistakes.[162] She appeared on "Tucker Carlson Tonight" seeking to defend her position.[163] On March 29, the South Dakota House rejected Noem's style and form veto, 67–2.[164] After the House returned H.B. 1217 to Noem for consideration after the House rejected her veto, she vetoed H.B. 1217.[165] The House then failed to override her veto by a vote of 45-24 (2/3s or 47 votes were needed to override).[166] Numerous conservative commentators criticized Noem for vetoing the bill.[167][168]

2021 fireworks at Mt. Rushmore lawsuit[]

On April 30, 2021, Noem sued U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland seeking to have fireworks at Mt. Rushmore for Independence Day.[169][170] Noem hired the private Washington D.C. law firm Consovoy McCarthy to bring the case and South Dakota taxpayers paid for the representation from the Extraordinary Litigation Fund.[171] On June 2, Federal District Judge Roberto Lange ruled against Noem, finding four of the five reasons given by the National Park Service and Secretary Haaland were valid.[172] On July 13, Noem filed an appeal with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.[173]

Department of Corrections[]

On July 14, 2021, Noem placed Secretary of the Department of Corrections Mike Liedholt, Warden Darin Young and Deputy Warden Jennifer Dreiske on administrative leave after receiving an anonymous note with complaints regarding pay, medical coverage and instances of sexual harassment.[174] On July 15, she fired Young and Dreiske and hired Stefany Bawek, the director of Pheasantland Industries.[175] On July 27, after meeting with prison employees, despite lingering COVID-19 cases, Noem ended the prison’s mask mandate.[176] On August 6, she announced that the CGL Group out of California was being hired for $166,410 to do a comprehensive review of the Department of Corrections operations. It was also announced that Bawek had been terminated and two other DOC employees relieved of their duties.[177] Bawek has filed a complaint with the EOC alleging she was retaliated against for reporting sexual harassment by Young.[178] On August 13, Liedholt announced he was retiring.[179]

Electoral history[]

2018 South Dakota gubernatorial election[79]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican CheckedKristi Noem 172,912 51.0%
Democratic Billie Sutton 161,454 47.6%
Libertarian Kurt Evans 4,848 1.4%
Total votes 339,214 100%
Republican hold
2018 Republican primary election – South Dakota governor[77]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican CheckedKristi Noem 57,437 56.0
Republican Marty Jackley 45,069 44.0
Total votes 102,506 100
2016 South Dakota's At-large congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican CheckedKristi Noem (Incumbent) 237,163 64.10
Democratic Paula Hawks 132,810 35.90
Total votes 369,973 100
South Dakota's At-large congressional district election, 2014[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican CheckedKristi Noem (Incumbent) 183,834 67
Democratic Corinna Robinson 92,485 33
Total votes 276,319 100
2012 South Dakota's At-large congressional district election[180]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican CheckedKristi Noem (Incumbent) 207,640 57
Democratic Matt Varilek 153,789 43
Total votes 361,429 100
Republican hold
2010 General election – At Large Congressional District of South Dakota
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican CheckedKristi Noem 153,703 48
Democratic Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (Incumbent) 146,589 46
Independent B. Thomas Marking 19,134 6
Total votes 319,426 100
Republican gain from Democratic
2010 Republican primary election – At Large Congressional District of South Dakota[181]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican CheckedKristi Noem 34,527 42
Republican Chris Nelson 28,380 35
Republican Blake Curd 19,134 23
Total votes 82,041 100

Personal life[]

Noem's husband is Bryon Noem. They have three children. In 2011, when Noem moved to Washington to take her congressional office, her family remained living on a ranch near Castlewood, South Dakota.[13]

Noem is a Protestant.[182] As of 2018, her family attended a Foursquare Church in Watertown, South Dakota.[183]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Mitchell, Trevor J. (April 1, 2020). "Why Gov. Noem won't order a shelter-in-place for South Dakotans". Argus Leader. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  2. ^ [Trump blasts Sutton and media, raves about Noem during South Dakota visit], Argus Leader, Patrick Anderson, September 7, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  3. ^ The Covid Queen of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's state has been ravaged by her Trumpian response to the pandemic — but that hasn't paused her national ambitions, Rolling Stone, Stephen Rodrick, March 16, 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c "South Dakota governor uses coronavirus relief funds for $5 million tourism ad despite COVID surge". CBS News. September 10, 2020. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  5. ^ Barrabi, Thomas (November 18, 2020). "South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem explains stance on mask mandate, won't enforce 'to make people feel good'". Fox News. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c Rodrick, Stephen (March 16, 2021). "The Covid Queen of South Dakota". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Groves, Stephen (July 28, 2020). "Governor pushes schools to remain open, disparages masks". Associated Press. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c Pilkington, Ed (November 19, 2020). "Kristi Noem rigidly follows Trump strategy of denial as Covid ravages South Dakota". The Guardian. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c Groves, Stephen (August 26, 2020). "South Dakota's Noem speaks at RNC as state virus cases rise". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Miller, Emily (February 14, 2011). "Rep. Kristi Noem: Head of the Class". Human Events. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  11. ^ Noem, Kristi [@govkristinoem] (December 9, 2017). "Uff-da!! Thank you Graysen for my awesome sweatshirt. As a proud Norwegian I have so many..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Bahr, Jeff (February 3, 2011). "Snow Queen title meant opportunity for Noem". Aberdeen News. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Hayworth, Bret (January 2, 2011). "Kristi Noem a 'fit for the times' as she takes office". Sioux City Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  14. ^ Woster, Kevin (May 9, 2010). "Noem ad: poignant or political?". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020.
  15. ^ Kristi Noem, South Dakota State Magazine, June 9, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  16. ^ "Our Campaigns - SD State House 06 Race - Nov 07, 2006". www.ourcampaigns.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  17. ^ "Our Campaigns - SD State House 06 Race - Nov 04, 2008". www.ourcampaigns.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b Ellis, Jonathan (June 9, 2010). "U.S. House: State Rep. Kristi Noem to face Herseth Sandlin in historic clash, Political newcomer beats odds". Argus Leader. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013.
  19. ^ "Kristi Noem". South Dakota Legislature Historical Listing. Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  20. ^ "Committee stops effort to lower grad age". Associated School Boards of South Dakota. February 25, 2010. Archived from the original on December 25, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  21. ^ "Kristi Noem". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  22. ^ "Noem Wins South Dakota's GOP Primary for U.S. House Seat". Fox News. Associated Press. June 8, 2010.
  23. ^ Wood, Issac (June 10, 2010). "House Primary Update". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  24. ^ Montgomery, David (March 20, 2011). "Money go-round". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  25. ^ "Total Raised and Spent 2010 Race: South Dakota District 01". OpenSecrets.org. Center for Responsive Politics. March 24, 2011. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  26. ^ Young, Steve (November 3, 2010). "Wave carries Kristi Noem". Argus Leader. Retrieved November 3, 2010.[dead link]
  27. ^ "Our Campaigns – SD – At-Large Race – Nov 06, 2012". ourcampaigns.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b "2014 South Dakota Official Election Returns and Registration Figures" (PDF). sdsos.gov. South Dakota Secretary of State. November 4, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  29. ^ "South Dakota State Unofficial Election Results". Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  30. ^ Ellis, Jonathan (January 6, 2015). "All GOP delegation first since 1962". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b O'Brien, Michael (November 17, 2010). "House elects Reps Noem, Scott to leadership". The Hill. Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  32. ^ Bolton, Alexander (January 1, 2011). "A new order: House power players to watch in the 112th Congress". The Hill. Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2011. Noem and Scott ... will give the freshman class a voice in GOP leadership meetings and will press their leaders to take immediate steps to cut government spending significantly. Boehner and other House leaders will also rely on Noem and Scott to manage the expectations of the freshman class.
  33. ^ Brady, Jessica (March 2, 2011). "NRCC Expanding Regional Team in 2012 Noem, Pompeo Among Members With Regions". Roll Call. CQ-Roll Call, Inc. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  34. ^ Heil, Emily (January 19, 2012). "Kristy Noem: Capitol Hill's most powerful intern". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  35. ^ Min Kim, Seung (May 7, 2012). "Rep. Kristi Noem earns her bachelor's degree". Politico. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  36. ^ A backronym based on "Keeping Republican Ideas Strong, Timely and Inventive"
  37. ^ Journal Staff (March 8, 2011). "Noem starts leadership PAC". Rapid City Journal. Lee Enterprises. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  38. ^ Willis, Derek (March 8, 2011). "G.O.P. Freshmen Forming Leadership PACs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  39. ^ Isenstadt, Alex (March 15, 2011). "Freshmen enroll in PACs 101". POLITICO. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  40. ^ T.W. Farnam (April 20, 2011). "The Influence Industry: New Republicans play an old fundraising game". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  41. ^ King, Ledyard (April 25, 2011). "Kristi Noem finds patches of middle ground". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Retrieved April 25, 2011.[dead link]
  42. ^ Wong, Scott; Jagoda, Naomi (March 6, 2018). "Rep. Kristi Noem pushing for online sales tax bill in omnibus". The Hill. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  43. ^ Jump up to: a b Lawrence, Tom (March 11, 2011). "S.D. Rep. Noem pushes for big cuts in federal spending". Mitchell, South Dakota The Daily Republic. Forum Communications. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2011. Noem praised the House for considering two bills aimed at reducing stimulus programs enacted last year.
  44. ^ "40 Under 40". Time. October 26, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  45. ^ Jump up to: a b c Ross, Denise (May 13, 2011). "South Dakota Rep. Noem joins Thune in opposing end to oil tax breaks". Mitchell Republic. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  46. ^ Tupper, Seth (April 1, 2011). "South Dakota's Rep. Noem does not name cuts when questioned". The Daily Republic. Mitchell, South Dakota: Forum Communications. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  47. ^ Montgomery, David (April 17, 2011). "Noem pitches need for budget cuts to veterans". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  48. ^ Jump up to: a b Bendavid, Naftali (November 18, 2010). "GOP Elevates Some New Faces". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
  49. ^ King, Ledyard (March 10, 2011). "Balanced budget push renewed in D.C." Argus Leader. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  50. ^ Mallory, Brady (February 24, 2014). "Noem Hosts Summit Against Sex Trafficking". KELO-TV. Archived from the original on November 23, 2016.
  51. ^ "Noem Offers Remarks on Human Trafficking at Congressional Hearing". Kristi Noem Congressional website (Press release). February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  52. ^ Herszenhorn, David M.; Robert Pear (January 19, 2011). "House Votes for Repeal of Health Law in Symbolic Act". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  53. ^ "GOP House candidate wants to stop Democrat plans". KSFY-TV ABC. Associated Press. June 25, 2010. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012.
  54. ^ Jump up to: a b Montgomery, David (January 20, 2011). "Noem, Republicans say replacement health care proposals on the way". Rapid City Journal. Lee Enterprises. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  55. ^ Woster, Kevin. Long after abortion wars, resentment toward Chris Nelson lingers Archived November 16, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Rapid City Journal, March 1, 2010.
  56. ^ Hollingsworth, Barbara (June 15, 2010). "Pro-life women take political center stage". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on May 18, 2020.
  57. ^ "SBA List Declares Victory as Rep. Kristi Noem Wins Primary for Governor of South Dakota". Susan B. Anthony List. June 6, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  58. ^ "South Dakotans on gay marriage ruling: Joy, disappointment". Argus Leader. June 26, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  59. ^ "Noem: SD Needs Better Energy Policy". KELO-TV. March 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 11, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  60. ^ Workman, Kurtis (December 9, 2010). "New South Dakota Congresswoman Say Ethanol Subsidy Good For Recovery". PlainsDaily.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  61. ^ Jump up to: a b Larsen, Kevin (November 18, 2014). "Noem To Continue Fight For Keystone XL". AM 610 KCSR. Chadron, Nebraska. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  62. ^ Woster, Kevin (September 9, 2010). "Noem continues assault on Johnson wilderness plan". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
  63. ^ Jump up to: a b Woster, Kevin (March 20, 2011). "Rough road ahead in Congress for Johnson wilderness plan". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2011. Noem made opposition to Johnson's wilderness plan one of her prominent campaign points last year in her race against incumbent Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, a Democrat.
  64. ^ Jump up to: a b Ellis, Jonathan (October 9, 2010). "Kristi Noem's stance on Buffalo Gap draws ire from unexpected source". Argus Leader. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2011. Noem ... said Thursday the current management system preserves the land without threatening leaseholder options.
  65. ^ "Noem seeks off-shore oil drilling". Rapid City Journal. April 1, 2011. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  66. ^ "Noem wants to expand offshore energy production". Black Hills FOX. March 31, 2011. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011. The bills would end the Obama administration's moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and require the re-opening of sales on oil leases in the Gulf and off the coast of Virginia.
  67. ^ Sturgis, Sue (February 21, 2011). "House votes to halt strict coal ash rules, but fight will continue in Senate". Facing South. Institute for Southern Studies. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  68. ^ Jump up to: a b Montgomery, David (March 24, 2010). "Thune, Noem want answers on Libya". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  69. ^ Wischmeyer, Beth (March 29, 2011). "Reaction to speech splits along party lines". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  70. ^ Jump up to: a b Ferguson, Dana (January 29, 2017). "Rep. Noem supports suspending U.S. refugee program". Argus Leader. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  71. ^ Blake, Aaron (January 31, 2017). "Whip Count: Here's where Republicans stand on Trump's controversial travel ban". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  72. ^ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  73. ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  74. ^ "Members". Afterschool Alliance. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  75. ^ "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  76. ^ "Rep. Kristi Noem to run for South Dakota governor". Politico. November 14, 2016. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  77. ^ Jump up to: a b "State of South Dakota Secretary of State Official Election Results". June 5, 2018. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  78. ^ "Rep. Kristi Noem wins South Dakota GOP governor primary". FOX News. Associated Press. June 6, 2018.
  79. ^ Jump up to: a b "South Dakota Election Results". The New York Times. November 6, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  80. ^ Nord, James (January 5, 2019). "Kristi Noem sworn in as South Dakota's 1st female governor". Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  81. ^ Sterling, Joe (February 1, 2019). "South Dakota is the latest state to allow concealed handguns to be carried without a permit". CNN. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  82. ^ Gstalter, Morgan (January 31, 2019). "South Dakota governor signs law to allow concealed handguns without a permit". The Hill. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  83. ^ Kaczke, Lisa (January 31, 2019). "Gov. Noem signs 'Constitutional carry' of concealed handguns without permits into law". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  84. ^ "Kristi for Governor". Kristi for Governor. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  85. ^ Kaczke, Lisa (March 20, 2019). "Gov. Kristi Noem signs pro-life bills into law". Argus Leader. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  86. ^ "South Dakota governor signs bills aimed at curbing abortion". ABC News. Associated Press. March 20, 2019. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  87. ^ Oprysko, Caitlin (February 22, 2019). "South Dakota governor says Trump trade wars have 'devastated' the state". Politico. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  88. ^ Brown, Alleen (May 23, 2019). "Pipeline Opponents Strike Back Against Anti-Protest Laws". The Intercept. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  89. ^ "'Meth. We're on it,' South Dakota says in ridiculed ad campaign that cost $449,000". washingtonpost.com. November 19, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  90. ^ Stelloh, Tim (November 18, 2019). "South Dakota: 'Meth. We're on it,' and we're sticking with anti-drug slogan". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  91. ^ Sneve, Joe (October 26, 2020). "Personal freedom not part of Noem's thinking on legal pot in South Dakota". Argus Leader. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  92. ^ Jaeger, Kyle (October 23, 2020). "South Dakota Governor Urges 'No' Vote On Marijuana Legalization Initiative In New Ad". Marijuana Moment. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  93. ^ "South Dakota's recreational marijuana law to be challenged in court". MJBizDaily. November 23, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  94. ^ Groves, Stephen (March 5, 2021). "Pot advocates cry foul on Noem using state funds for lawsuit". Associated Press. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  95. ^ Groves, Stephen (February 8, 2021). "South Dakota judge rejects amendment legalizing marijuana". Associated Press. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  96. ^ "Noem wants year delay to implement medical marijuana". kotatv.com. February 10, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  97. ^ "Bill to delay medical marijuana in SD fails in senate". mitchellnow.com. March 11, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  98. ^ "Gov. Noem vetoes bill legalizing industrial hemp production". Associated Press. March 11, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  99. ^ Nauman, Talli (November 23, 2020). "South Dakota gripped by pandemic amid Kristi Noem's no-mask approach". The Guardian. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  100. ^ Beaumont, Thomas; Groves, Stephen (May 5, 2020). "'A resume for future office': Virus tests a GOP governor". Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  101. ^ Groves, Stephen (November 16, 2020). "As deaths spiral, South Dakota governor opposes mask rules". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  102. ^ "WATCH: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem paints dark picture of U.S. under Dem leaders". PBS NewsHour. Associated Press. August 26, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  103. ^ Kaczke, Lisa (August 26, 2020). "Gov. Kristi Noem lauds Trump, ignores coronavirus in RNC speech". Argus Leader. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  104. ^ "House Bill 1297 – 2020 Session". South Dakota Legislature. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  105. ^ Groves, Stephen (March 31, 2020). "Legislature rejects extending Noem's shutdown authority or letting her close gun stores". Rapid City Journal (from the Associated Press). Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  106. ^ "Gov. Noem declares state of emergency in South Dakota". KSFY-TV. March 13, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  107. ^ Hayworth, Bret (March 13, 2020). "Noem orders South Dakota K-12 schools to close next week; Iowa, Nebraska holding off on similar moves". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  108. ^ Conlon, Shelly (April 6, 2020). "Schools to remain closed for rest of academic year: What that means for Sioux Falls". Argus Leader. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  109. ^ Jump up to: a b Matzen, Morgan (April 6, 2020). "Noem closes schools for remainder of semester; updates executive order to businesses". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  110. ^ "Noem Issues New Executive Order in COVID-19 Response". South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations. April 7, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  111. ^ Arizona man dies after self-medicating to treat coronavirus, Fox News, David Aaro and AP, March 24, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  112. ^ Bradner, Eric (April 14, 2020). "South Dakota governor faces criticism over refusal to issue stay-at-home order after pork plant outbreak". CNN. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  113. ^ Arizona man dies after attempting to take Trump coronavirus 'cure'\ Arizona man dies after attempting to take Trump coronavirus 'cure', The Guardian (AP), March 14, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  114. ^ Grady D (May 16, 2012). "Popular Antibiotic May Raise Risk of Sudden Death". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  115. ^ Witte, Griff (April 13, 2020). "South Dakota's governor resisted ordering people to stay home. Now it has one of the nation's largest coronavirus hot spots". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  116. ^ Mitchell, Trevor J. (May 4, 2020). "Noem 'disappointed' Smithfield isn't sharing reopening plans". Argus Leader. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  117. ^ Jump up to: a b c America's Slaughterhouses Aren't Just Killing Animals, The Atlantic, Eric Schlosser, May 12, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  118. ^ Matzen, Morgan (April 14, 2020). "Noem refuses banning evictions, utility shutoffs; rejects shelter-in-place request". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  119. ^ Jump up to: a b c Tesfaye, Sophia (September 12, 2020). "Is South Dakota's Kristi Noem, a Trump superfan, the nation's worst COVID governor?". Salon. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  120. ^ Noem, Kristi (April 6, 2020). "Executive Order 2020-12" (PDF). South Dakota Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  121. ^ Noem, Kristi (April 6, 2020). "Executive Order 2020-13" (PDF). South Dakota Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  122. ^ Strubinger, Lee (April 14, 2020). "Despite Outbreak, South Dakota Governor Hesitant To Issue Stay-At-Home Order". NPR. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  123. ^ Cummings, William (July 1, 2020). "'We won't be social distancing' at Mount Rushmore celebration with Trump, says SD Gov. Noem". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  124. ^ Jump up to: a b c Groves, Stephen (October 22, 2020). "Noem says South Dakota is doing 'good' as virus surges". AP News. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  125. ^ "AAPS Resolution Concerning Mandatory Vaccines". Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  126. ^ Romm, Tony (August 15, 2020). "South Dakota declines to boost unemployment payments under Trump's order". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  127. ^ Jump up to: a b Luhby, Tami (August 16, 2020). "South Dakota turns down Trump's unemployment benefits boost". CNN. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  128. ^ "Rental Assistance". National Low Income Housing Coalition. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  129. ^ Blistein, Jon (August 12, 2020). "'Freedom-Loving People': Behind the Scenes at That Controversial Smash Mouth Show in South Dakota". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  130. ^ Burke, Minyvonne (August 8, 2020). "Sturgis motorcycle rally draws thousands of bikers despite coronavirus fears". news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  131. ^ Martin, Jonathan (May 2, 2021). "Why Kristi Noem Is Rising Quickly as a Republican Prospect for 2024". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  132. ^ Todisco, Eric. "At Least 103 New Coronavirus Cases in 8 States Linked to South Dakota Motorcycle Rally". wMSN. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  133. ^ "Colorado Reports 20+ Coronavirus Cases Linked To Sturgis Motorcycle Rally". CBS Denver. August 7, 2020. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020 – via MSN.
  134. ^ Groves, Stephen (August 25, 2020). "Revved by Sturgis Rally, COVID-19 infections move fast, far". Associated Press. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  135. ^ Groves, Stephen; Beaumont, Thomas (September 3, 2020). "South Dakota spends $819,000 on Fox News ad pitching tourism in the state". The Billings Gazette. Associated Press. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  136. ^ "Noem blames surge in cases on testing as hospitals fill". Associated Press. October 13, 2020. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  137. ^ Nelson, Darsha (February 17, 2021). "Noem signs bill limiting liability for certain COVID-19 exposures". KNBN NewsCenter1. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  138. ^ "These States Have Banned Vaccine Passports". US News. 2021.
  139. ^ Jump up to: a b Reston, Maeve (July 11, 2017). "Kristi Noem criticizes GOP governors who enacted Covid-19 mandates". CNN. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  140. ^ "Noem opposes bill to stop schools requiring vaccinations". Associated Press. February 21, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  141. ^ Goss, Austin (August 19, 2021). "SD Legislators urge 'vaccine mandate ban,' face Noem opposition". KSFY-TV. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  142. ^ Epp, Todd (May 28, 2019). "State asking for interest in fencing S.D. Governor's mansion". KELO. Archived from the original on May 28, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  143. ^ Russo, Mark (June 10, 2019). "Noem: no fence in Pierre". KELO News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  144. ^ Mercer, Bob (August 12, 2020). "Security fence will be built around SD Governor's residence". KELO News. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  145. ^ Burns, Katelyn (November 8, 2020). "GOP lawmakers are refusing to acknowledge the reality that Biden won the election". Vox. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  146. ^ Strubinger, Lee (December 8, 2020). "Noem Acknowledges Incoming Biden Administration During Budget Address With A Warning". SDPB Radio. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  147. ^ Sneve, Joe (December 8, 2020). "Noem warns of economic slowdown with Biden in White House, poses $5B budget". Argus Leader. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  148. ^ Groves, Stephen (January 28, 2021). "Noem refuses to say whether Biden victory was free and fair". Associated Press. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  149. ^ Mercer, Bob (December 13, 2020). "Lederman in, Noem out as S.D. Trump elector". KELO-TV. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021. The governor's communications director, Ian Fury, didn't respond to questions Saturday from KELOLAND News about what led to Lederman's substitution for her.
  150. ^ Mercer, Bob (December 14, 2020). "Noem sent letters a week ago bowing out as one of South Dakota's presidential electors". KELO-TV. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  151. ^ Barnett, Steve (November 5, 2019). "State of South Dakota Certificate of Vote" (PDF). National Archives. p. 2. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  152. ^ Jorgensen, Don (January 6, 2021). "Governor Noem tweets violence in Washington 'right now must stop'". KELO-TV. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  153. ^ Sneve, Joe (January 6, 2021). "South Dakota delegation waits out 'violent, lawless' riot at Capitol Hill". Argus Leader. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  154. ^ South Dakota governor calls new Georgia senators communists, Associated Press (January 9, 2021).
  155. ^ "Kristi Noem CPAC 2021 Speech Transcript". Rev. February 28, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  156. ^ Coleman, Justin (February 28, 2021). "Trump wins Cpac straw poll with 55 Percent". The Hill. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  157. ^ "South Dakota Governor Signs Discriminatory 'Religious Freedom' Bill". . March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  158. ^ Holmes, Juwan J. (March 12, 2021). "South Dakota passes "religious freedom" bill that could legalize discrimination". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  159. ^ "South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Signs Religious Refusal Bill, Creating First Major RFRA Law In Six Years". Human Rights Council. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  160. ^ Bollinger, Alex (March 9, 2021). "South Dakota passes an anti-trans sports bill on International Women's Day". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  161. ^ Wargo, Abby (March 10, 2021). "Anti-trans bill could hurt state's college teams, cost state millions, sports official says". Argus Leader. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  162. ^ "Noem issues 'style and form' veto that would substantially alter girls' and women's sports bill". keloland.com. March 19, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  163. ^ "Tucker asks Noem if she is 'caving to the NCAA' over bill banning transgender women from girls' sports". foxnews.com. March 22, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  164. ^ "SD House Overrides Governor's Style and Form Veto". wnax.com. March 29, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  165. ^ "South Dakota Governor Issues Final Veto on Transgender Sports Bill". nationalreview.com. March 29, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  166. ^ "Transgender sports bill dies after veto override fails". msn.com. March 29, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  167. ^ "Kristi Noem Has No Good Explanations For Vetoing The Girls' Sports Bill". federalinquirer.com. April 1, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  168. ^ "Noem Forfeits Girls' Sports for Woke Corps". frc.org. March 23, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  169. ^ "South Dakota governor sues for fireworks at Mount Rushmore". ajc.com. April 30, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  170. ^ "Complaint, Noem v. Haaland" (PDF). governor.sd.gov. April 30, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  171. ^ "Governor Noem sues federal government to bring fireworks back to Mt. Rushmore". www.keloland.com. April 30, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  172. ^ "Judge rules against Noem in fireworks lawsuit". keloland.com. April 30, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  173. ^ "Appeal filed in lawsuit regarding Mount Rushmore". keloland.com. July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  174. ^ "Gov. Noem makes announcement regarding Department of Corrections". hubcityradio.com. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  175. ^ "Gov. Noem fires two corrections officials, places another one on administrative leave". kelo.com. July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  176. ^ "Gov. Noem ends prison mask mandate despite lingering Covid 19 cases". keloland.com. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  177. ^ "S.D. selects CGL Group to review Department of Corrections". kelo.com. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  178. ^ "Fired DOC worker alleges retaliation for reporting sexual harassment by former prison warden". keloland.com. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  179. ^ "S.D. Secretary of Corrections announces retirement amid DOC Shakeup". keloland.com. August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  180. ^ "Secretary of State – Statewide Races". South Dakota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  181. ^ South Dakota Secretary of State. Pierre, South Dakota: June 8, 2010. 2010 South Dakota Official Primary Election Results. Archived September 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  182. ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 115th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. 2017. p. 10.
  183. ^ Woster, Kevin (March 16, 2018). "The Bible and the law: finding a moral compass in the race for governor". SDPB. Retrieved April 11, 2021.

Cite error: A list-defined reference named "independents move" is not used in the content (see the help page).
Cite error: A list-defined reference named "record pace" is not used in the content (see the help page).

External links[]

South Dakota House of Representatives
Preceded by
Art Fryslie 		Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
from the 6th district
2007–2011
Served alongside: Paul Nelson, Brock Greenfield 		Succeeded by
Burt Tulson
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin 		Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Dakota's at-large congressional district
2011–2019 		Succeeded by
Dusty Johnson
Preceded by
Jaime Herrera Beutler 		Chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus
2015–2017 		Succeeded by
Susan Brooks
Party political offices
Preceded by
Dennis Daugaard 		Republican nominee for Governor of South Dakota
2018 		Most recent
Political offices
Preceded by
Dennis Daugaard 		Governor of South Dakota
2019–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Kamala Harris
as Vice President 		Order of precedence of the United States
Within South Dakota 		Succeeded by
Mayor of city
in which event is held
Succeeded by
Otherwise Nancy Pelosi
as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Doug Burgum
as Governor of North Dakota 		Order of precedence of the United States
Outside South Dakota 		Succeeded by
Greg Gianforte
as Governor of Montana
Retrieved from ""