Kristi Noem

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kristi Noem
Official portrait, 2023
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 52)
Watertown, South Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Bryon Noem (m. 1992)
Children3
EducationSouth Dakota State University (BA)

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.

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] Since early 2024, she has been seen as a possible vice presidential pick for former President Donald Trump's re-election campaign in the 2024 election.[3][4]

Early life[change | change source]

Noem was born in Watertown, South Dakota,[5] and was raised with her siblings on their family ranch and farm in Hamlin County.[6] Noem graduated from Hamlin High School in 1990, and was crowned South Dakota Snow Queen that year.[7]

Noem's father was killed in a farm machinery accident in 1994.[6][8] Noem went to Northern State University from 1990 to 1994, but did not graduate.[8] Her daughter was born in 1994. Noem left college early to run the family farm. She later 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.[9] She completed her BA in political science at SDSU in 2012 while serving in Congress.[10][6]

State legislature[change | change source]

In 2006, Noem won a seat as a Republican in the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 6th district. In 2006, she won with 39% of the vote.[11] In 2008, she was reelected with 41% of the vote.[12]

From 2007 to 2010; she was an assistant majority leader during her second term. During her time as a state representative, Noem was the prime sponsor of 11 bills that became law.[13][14][15]

U.S. House of Representatives[change | change source]

Noem's official congressional portrait, 2013

In 2010, Noem ran for South Dakota's at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.[16] She won the Republican primary with 42 percent of the vote.[17] Noem ran against Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, eventually beating her with 48 percent to 46 percent.[18] She would go on to be re-elected three more times in 2012, 2014 and 2016.[19][20][21]

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.[6][22] After being elected to Congress, Noem continued her education through online courses. The Washington Post called her Capitol Hill's "most powerful intern" for receiving college intern credits from her position as a member of Congress.[23] She earned a B.A. in political science from South Dakota State University in 2012.[24]

Noem supported looking for other renewable energy options while ending the United States's use of foreign oil.[25][26][27]

Noem supported the Keystone XL Pipeline[28] and supports offshore oil drilling. In 2011, she sponsored a bill to block Environmental Protection Agency funding for tighter air pollution standards.[29] Noem was against a bill by Democratic South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson that would designate over 48,000 acres (190 km2) of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland as protected wilderness.[30]

In March 2011, Noem was against President Barack Obama's plan for the NATO-led military intervention in the 2011 Libyan civil war.[31][32]

Noem is against the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and has voted to remove it.[33] She supported cuts to Medicaid.[34]

Governor of South Dakota[change | change source]

On November 14, 2016, Noem announced that she would run for governor of South Dakota in 2018 rather than seek reelection to Congress.[35] She beat South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley in the June 5 Republican primary, 56 to 44 percent.[36] She would go on to beat Democratic nominee Billie Sutton in the general election, 51.0 to 47.6 percent.[37] Noem was sworn in as governor of South Dakota on January 5, 2019, becoming the first woman to hold that office.[38] She was re-elected in 2022, winning 62% of the vote.[39]

Noem in December 2019

Abortion and protests laws[change | change source]

During her time as governor, she was known for her anti-abortion views.[40] She signed several bills making it harder to get an abortion in South Dakota.[41][42] After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, South Dakota became one of the first states to ban abortions.[43] She was also strict with protests surrounding the Keystone Pipeline project.[44] She passed several anti-protest laws and increased policing near the pipeline.[45]

COVID-19 response[change | change source]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem at first supported quarantine plans, however when President Donald Trump became more against government's urging lockdowns, she became more critical of lockdowns and quarantine plans.[46] Noem wanted a bill to pass the state house to give power to county and health officials to decide when businesses and schools should close.[46] However, the bill did not pass.[46] She used COVID relief funds from the government to promote the state's tourism, despite it still being unsafe to travel.[47] She did not pass face mask mandates.[48][49] She was one of few governors who had not pass statewide stay-at-home orders or face-mask mandates.[50][51]

Noem with Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence in February 2020

The Republican National Committee supported her response to the pandemic and invited her to speak during the 2020 Republican National Convention.[52] The convention speech made her very popular in the party and made her well known across the country.[53]

In July 2021, Noem criticized other Republican governors for passing mandatory measures against COVID-19 and trying to "rewrite history" about it.[54] She argued that South Dakota had successfully fought off the pandemic, however the state had the 10th-highest death rate and third-highest case rate at that time.[54]

Immigration[change | change source]

In June 2021, Noem announced that she was sending members of the state's national guard to Texas's border with Mexico with the support of Republican donors.[55] On September 22, 2021, the Center for Public Integrity sued the South Dakota National Guard and the U.S. Department of Defense.[56] The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act banned National Guard members from crossing state borders to perform duties paid for by private donors.[57]

Noem in September 2020

Prank call[change | change source]

In 2023, a reporter from Dakota News Now used Noem's personal phone number in a prank call to the former chair of the South Dakota Republican Party. The reporter was fired and Noem asked the U.S. attorney general to investigate the leak of her personal information.[58]

2020 presidential election[change | change source]

See the main article: 2020 United States presidential election

Noem claimed that the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden beat Donald Trump, had large levels of voter fraud, even though there was no evidence supports this claim.[59] On December 8, 2020, Noem had acknowledge a Biden administration, but continued to say that the election was not "free and fair."[60][61][62]

After the United States Capitol was attacked by a pro-Trump mob on January 6, 2021, Noem spoke out against the violence, saying, "We are all entitled to peacefully protest. Violence is not a part of that."[63][64] One day after calling for peace after the attack, Noem called the two newly elected Democratic senators from Georgia, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, "communists".[65]

Former President Donald Trump wanted Noem to run against U.S. Senator John Thune for the Republican nomination in the 2022 Senate election because Thune did not support Trump's claims that the 2020 election was stolen.[66] Noem said she did not want to run for the United States Senate in January 2021.[66]

2024 presidential election[change | change source]

See the main article: 2024 United States presidential election

At first, Noem was seen as a possible presidential candidate for the 2024 election,[67] but endorsed former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign in September 2023.[68] In early 2024, Noem was mentioned as a possible running mate for Trump's re-election campaign.[3][4] In late April 2024, Noem's book - "No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward" was published. In it, Noem detailed how she shot the family's 14-month old dog, Cricket, and disposed of the body in a gravel pit. Noem also details in the book killing a goat in the same gravel pit.

Personal life[change | change source]

She married Bryon Noem in 1992, in Watertown, South Dakota.[69] They have three children. Noem is a Protestant.[70]

Noem published her autobiography, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland on June 28, 2022.[71]

On September 15, 2023, the New York Post and the Daily Mail separately published articles saying that Noem had had an ongoing affair with Corey Lewandowski, since at least 2019.[72][73][74][75] Five days later, Noem's spokesperson denied the story.[76]

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ Rep. Kristi Noem wins South Dakota GOP governor primary, FOX News, June 6, 2018.
  2. ↑ Meyers, Jim. "Newsmax Exclusive: The 25 Influential Women of the GOP". Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Noem touts her gubernatorial record amid VP speculation: We need 'leaders outside the swamp'". The Hill. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Kristi Noem Gets Her MAGA Makeover". The New York Times. March 20, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  5. ↑ "NOEM, Kristi". US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Woster, Kevin (May 9, 2010). "Noem ad: poignant or political?". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020.
  9. ↑ Schmidt, Matt (June 7, 2019). "Governor Noem". STATE Magazine. South Dakota State University Alumni Association. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  10. ↑ O'Keefe, Ed (July 12, 2012). "Rep. Kristi Noem earns her college degree". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Our Campaigns - SD State House 06 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Our Campaigns - SD State House 06 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  13. ↑ "House Bill 1182". sdlegislature.gov. South Dakota Legislature. February 15, 2008. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Senate Bill 70". sdlegislature.gov. South Dakota Legislature. March 13, 2009. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Senate Bill 89". sdlegislature.gov. South Dakota Legislature. March 12, 2010. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Noem Wins South Dakota's GOP Primary for U.S. House Seat". Fox News. Associated Press. June 8, 2010. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  17. ↑ Wood, Issac (June 10, 2010). "House Primary Update". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  18. ↑ Young, Steve (November 3, 2010). "Wave carries Kristi Noem". Argus Leader. Retrieved November 3, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  19. ↑ "Our Campaigns – SD – At-Large Race – Nov 06, 2012". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ "South Dakota State Unofficial Election Results". Archived from the original on December 31, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ↑ Brady, Jessica (March 2, 2011). "NRCC Expanding Regional Team in 2012 Noem, Pompeo Among Members With Regions". Roll Call. CQ-Roll Call, Inc. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ "Noem: SD Needs Better Energy Policy". KELO-TV. March 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 11, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  26. ↑ 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.
  27. ↑ Noem, Kristi (2019-03-29). "Noem: Enhancing our energy potential". Argus Leader. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ 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.
  32. ↑ 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.
  33. ↑ 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.
  34. ↑ 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.
  35. ↑ "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.
  36. ↑ "Rep. Kristi Noem wins South Dakota GOP governor primary". FOX News. Associated Press. June 6, 2018. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  37. ↑ "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.
  38. ↑ Nord, James (January 5, 2019). "Kristi Noem sworn in as South Dakota's first female governor". Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  39. ↑ Mueller, Julia (8 November 2022). "Noem wins reelection in South Dakota governor's race". The Hill. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  40. ↑ "SBA List Declares Victory as Rep. Kristi Noem Wins Primary for Governor of South Dakota". Susan B. Anthony List. June 6, 2018. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  41. ↑ 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.
  42. ↑ "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.
  43. ↑ Iyer, Kaanita (July 4, 2022). "South Dakota governor defends state's abortion 'trigger' ban when asked if 10-year-old should be forced to give birth". CNN. Archived from the original on August 28, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  44. ↑ Brown, Alleen (May 23, 2019). "Pipeline Opponents Strike Back Against Anti-Protest Laws". The Intercept. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  45. ↑ Kaczke, Lisa (2020-01-28). "Gov. Kristi Noem finalizes her 2020 riot boosting legislation". Argus Leader. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 "House Bill 1297 – 2020 Session". South Dakota Legislature. Legislative Research Council. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  47. ↑ "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.
  48. ↑ Nauman, Talli (November 23, 2020). "South Dakota gripped by pandemic amid Kristi Noem's no-mask approach". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  49. ↑ Pilkington, Ed (November 19, 2020). "Kristi Noem rigidly follows Trump strategy of denial as Covid ravages South Dakota". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  50. ↑ 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.
  51. ↑ Groves, Stephen (November 16, 2020). "As deaths spiral, South Dakota governor opposes mask rules". ABC News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  52. ↑ "WATCH: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem paints dark picture of U.S. under Dem leaders". PBS NewsHour. Associated Press. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  53. ↑ Kaczke, Lisa (August 26, 2020). "Gov. Kristi Noem lauds Trump, ignores coronavirus in RNC speech". Argus Leader. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Reston, Maeve (July 11, 2017). "Kristi Noem criticizes GOP governors who enacted Covid-19 mandates". CNN. Archived from the original on July 18, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  55. ↑ Horton, Alex (June 29, 2021). "South Dakota governor sending National Guard to Mexico border on mission funded by GOP megadonor". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  56. ↑ Yost, Rae (September 30, 2021). "Lawsuit claims S.D. National Guard illegally withheld public documents". KELO-TV. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  57. ↑ Vondracek, Christopher (December 16, 2021). "Defense bill would ban private donations for National Guard deployment". Jamestown Sun. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  58. ↑ "Reporter charged with prank call using S.D. governor's cell". AP News. May 4, 2023. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  59. ↑ Burns, Katelyn (November 8, 2020). "GOP lawmakers are refusing to acknowledge the reality that Biden won the election". Vox. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  60. ↑ Strubinger, Lee (December 8, 2020). "Noem Acknowledges Incoming Biden Administration During Budget Address With A Warning". South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  61. ↑ Sneve, Joe (December 8, 2020). "Noem warns of economic slowdown with Biden in White House, poses $5B budget". Argus Leader. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  62. ↑ Groves, Stephen (January 28, 2021). "Noem refuses to say whether Biden victory was free and fair". Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  63. ↑ Jorgensen, Don (January 6, 2021). "Governor Noem tweets violence in Washington 'right now must stop'". KELO-TV. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  64. ↑ Sneve, Joe (January 6, 2021). "South Dakota delegation waits out 'violent, lawless' riot at Capitol Hill". Argus Leader. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  65. ↑ South Dakota governor calls new Georgia senators communists Archived February 2, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, Associated Press (January 9, 2021).
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 Walsh, Joe. "Trump Urges S.D. Governor To Primary Sen. Thune — But The Governor Doesn't Want The Job". Forbes.
  67. ↑ Sforza, Lauren (June 28, 2023). "Noem says she doesn't see 'path to victory' for anyone but Trump in 2024". The Hill. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  68. ↑ "Trump visits South Dakota, picking up an endorsement from Gov. Kristi Noem". NPR. September 9, 2023.
  69. ↑ 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.
  70. ↑ "Religious affiliation of members of 115th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. 2017. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  71. ↑ Noem, Kristi (2022). Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland. Twelve Books. ISBN 9781538707050. Archived from the original on July 10, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  72. ↑ Crane, Emily; Nelson, Steven (September 15, 2023). "SD Gov. Kristi Noem having 'absurdly blatant and public' affair with 'handsy' Trump aide Corey Lewandowski, sources say". New York Post.
  73. ↑ Helmore, Edward (September 17, 2023). "Trump says Republicans 'speak very inarticulately' about abortion". The Guardian.
  74. ↑ "Daily Mail Reports on New Evidence of Alleged Affair Between Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski". Mediaite. 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  75. ↑ Nast, Condé (2023-09-15). "Governor Kristi Noem, "God-Fearing" Family Woman, and Corey Lewandowski, Trump Creep, Reportedly Had "Yearslong" Affair". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  76. ↑ Lalley, Patrick (September 20, 2023). "Noem spokesman: 'The allegation of an affair is false'". Sioux Falls Live.

Other websites[change | change source]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kristi Noem.
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Kristi Noem
Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kristi_Noem&oldid=9507869"