Kristi Noem

  File:Kristi Noem official photo.jpg

Official portrait, 2019

Born	Birth date -1st March 1966, Watertown, South Dakota, U.S.
Died	,
Resting place
Nationality
Political party	Republican
Occupation
Known for
Spouse(s)	Bryon Noem
Children	3
Education	Northern State University

Kristi Lynn Noem (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.

Early Life and Education

Kristi Noem was born in Watertown, South Dakota, and raised with her siblings on the family ranch and farm in rural Hamlin County. She attended Northern State University from 1990 to 1994, but left college early to help run her family's ranch after her father's untimely death. She later completed her degree in political science through online courses from South Dakota State University in 2012.

Political Career

South Dakota House of Representatives

Noem's political career began in 2006 when she was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 6th district. During her tenure, she served as Assistant Majority Leader.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 2010, Noem ran for the U.S. House of Representatives and won, defeating incumbent Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. She served four terms from 2011 to 2019. During her time in Congress, Noem was a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee. She was also part of the Republican Study Committee and the Tea Party Caucus.

Governor of South Dakota

In 2018, Noem ran for Governor of South Dakota and won the election, becoming the first female governor of the state. Her tenure has been marked by her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Dakota, where she gained national attention for her decision not to implement a statewide mask mandate or lockdown.

Political Positions

Noem is known for her conservative positions on various issues. She is a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights and has supported legislation to expand gun rights in South Dakota. She is also a proponent of agriculture and rural development, reflecting her background in farming and ranching.

Personal Life

Kristi Noem is married to Bryon Noem, and they have three children. The family resides in Castlewood, South Dakota.

Also see

• Governors of South Dakota
• Republican Party (United States)
• South Dakota State University
• United States House of Representatives