Who is Kristi Noem?
Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem (1971) is an American politician who served as the 33rd governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025 and as a U.S. representative for South Dakota’s at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2019. She is a member of the Republican Party, known for her stance on health freedom and gun rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early Life and Education
Noem was born in Watertown, South Dakota, raised on a farm, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from South Dakota State University in 2012. Her upbringing on a farm instilled in her a strong sense of rural values that she carried into her political career.
Political Career
Noem ran for U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 and won with 48% of the vote against Democrat Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. She was reelected to two subsequent terms (2012, 2014) and one more term (2016). During her tenure, Noem held several leadership roles, including liaison to the House Republican leadership and regional director for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Leadership Roles
Noem’s leadership roles included serving on the House Armed Services Committee from 2013 to 2015. She was also a prime sponsor of several bills that became law, including property tax reforms and gun rights bills. Her stance on these issues has been a hallmark of her political career.
Health Freedom and Gun Rights
Noem is known for her strong support of health freedom and gun rights. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she initially supported containment strategies but later shifted to a hands-off approach, raising doubts about public health experts’ advice. She used pandemic relief funds for tourism promotion, discouraged mask-wearing, and raised questions about the effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of the virus.
Anti-Abortion Stance
Noem has called China an enemy and issued executive orders banning TikTok and Tencent on state-owned devices. She signed a bill prohibiting governments from buying agricultural land in South Dakota from six countries, including China. Her anti-abortion stance is evident in her support for bills that restrict abortion access.
Controversies
Noem’s tenure was marked by several controversies. In 2019, she signed a bill limiting civil liability for COVID-19 exposures and an executive order prohibiting government facilities from requiring proof of vaccination. She also faced criticism for spending public funds on a meth awareness campaign and for her stance on mask-wearing during the pandemic.
Personal Life
Noem married Bryon Noem in 1992 and has three children. Her family attends a Foursquare Church in Watertown, South Dakota. In September 2021, conservative media outlet American Greatness reported an extramarital affair between Noem and Corey Lewandowski, which she denied.
End of Tenure
Noem’s tenure as governor came to an end in January 2025 when Donald Trump selected her to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security in his second term. She was confirmed by the Senate on January 25, 2025, with a vote of 59-34.
Noem’s journey from a farm in South Dakota to the halls of power is a testament to her resilience and determination. Her political career has been marked by both achievements and controversies, making her one of the most polarizing figures in American politics today.
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This page is based on the article Kristi Noem published in Wikipedia (retrieved on January 26, 2025) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
