Kristi Lynn Noem born November 30, 1971 is an American politician who has served as the 33rd governor of South Dakota since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she represented South Dakota’s at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, and served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011. Noem made history in 2018 by becoming the first female governor of South Dakota.
Kristi Noem Biography 2024
She gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for her decision not to implement a statewide mask mandate. Raised on a ranch and farm in rural South Dakota, Noem is both a farmer and a rancher. In 2022, she published her first autobiography, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland, followed by a second book, No Going Back (2024), which sparked controversy due to a passage involving the killing of a family dog.
Kristi Noem Biography Details
| Born | Kristi Lynn Arnold November 30, 1971 (age 52)
Watertown, South Dakota, U.S. |
|---|
| Political party | Republican |
|---|
| Spouse | |
|---|
| Children | 3 |
|---|
| Residence | Governor’s Residence |
|---|
| Alma mater | South Dakota State University (BA) |
|---|
Kristi Noem Early Life
Kristi Noem was born to Ron and Corinne Arnold in Watertown, South Dakota. She grew up on the family farm and ranch in rural Hamlin County, where she worked alongside her siblings. Noem has Norwegian heritage, and her upbringing in rural South Dakota shaped her political views. She graduated from Hamlin High School in 1990 and was crowned South Dakota Snow Queen that same year. Tragically, her father passed away in a farm machinery accident in 1994, an event that had a profound impact on her life.
Noem attended Northern State University from 1990 to 1994 but left before completing her degree to help run the family farm. During this time, she expanded the family business by adding a hunting lodge and restaurant, with her siblings also returning to contribute. Noem later took classes at Mount Marty College in Watertown and South Dakota State University (SDSU), as well as online courses from the University of South Dakota. She eventually earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from SDSU in 2012, while serving in Congress. Her unique path to a college degree, which included receiving intern credits from her congressional role, led The Washington Post to dub her Capitol Hill’s “most powerful intern.”
Kristi Noem Bio
Kristi Noem | Overview |
Political Role | 33rd Governor of South Dakota (Incumbent) |
Party | Republican |
Born | November 30, 1971 |
Residence | Governor’s Residence, South Dakota |
Spouse | Bryon Noem (married in 1992) |
Children | 3 |
Education | BA in Political Science, South Dakota State University |
Notable Achievement | First female Governor of South Dakota |
Governor of South Dakota
Governor Noem’s Tenure | Details |
Took Office | January 5, 2019 |
Lieutenant Governor | Larry Rhoden |
Predecessor | Dennis Daugaard |
Endorsements | Endorsed by President Donald Trump during the 2018 election |
Key Policy Focus | COVID-19 management, agricultural issues, tax reform |
U.S. House of Representatives Career
Kristi Noem in Congress | Key Facts |
Term in Office | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2019 |
Preceded By | Stephanie Herseth Sandlin |
Succeeded By | Dusty Johnson |
Notable Actions | Co-sponsored federal abortion ban bills, pushed for fiscal responsibility |
PAC Fundraising | Raised significant funds through KRISTI PAC for 2012 campaigns |
Legislative Accomplishments in South Dakota House
South Dakota Legislative Actions | Details |
Property Tax Reforms | Sponsored several property tax bills that became law |
Gun Rights | Advocated for expanded gun rights in South Dakota |
Agriculture | Served as vice chair of the Agriculture Land Assessment Advisory Task Force |
Abortion and LGBTQ Rights
Social Policy Stance | Details |
Abortion | Co-sponsored federal bills to ban abortion, supports 14th Amendment definition of personhood |
Same-Sex Marriage | Opposed Obergefell v. Hodges ruling legalizing same-sex marriage |
Transgender Rights | Banned transgender athletes from women’s sports in South Dakota |
COVID-19 Response
COVID-19 Management | Details |
Mask Mandate | Refused to issue a statewide mask mandate |
Lockdown Measures | Opposed lockdowns, prioritized keeping businesses open |
Public Reaction | Received both praise and criticism for her handling of the pandemic |
Meth Awareness Campaign
Campaigns and Initiatives | Details |
Meth. We’re on It | Aimed to raise awareness about meth use, received criticism for its messaging |
Funding | $449,000 of public funds spent on the campaign |
Criticism | Widely mocked, with calls for better messaging |
Opposition to Cannabis Legalization
Cannabis Stance | Details |
Opposition | Strongly opposed both medical and recreational cannabis legalization |
Lawsuit | Filed against the recreational cannabis measure after its approval |
Medical Marijuana | Legalized in 2021 despite initial opposition |
Religious Freedom Laws
Religious Freedom Legislation | Details |
S.B. 124 | Allows businesses to refuse services based on religious beliefs |
Criticism | Civil rights groups argued it could lead to discrimination |
Presidential Election and Vice Presidential Speculation
Presidential Election | Details |
Trump Endorsement | Endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 election |
Vice President Speculation | Often mentioned as a potential running mate for Trump |
Public Image | Her image was somewhat affected by recent controversies, including her book |
Kristi Noem Personal Life
Personal Details | Details |
Spouse | Bryon Noem (married in 1992) |
Children | 3 |
Religious Affiliation | Protestant |
Family Residence | Ranch near Castlewood, South Dakota |
Kristi Noem Net Worth
Kristi Noem has a net worth of $19 million.
Kristi Noem Summary
Kristi Noem born in 1971 in South Dakota, is the current Governor of South Dakota, serving since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she previously represented South Dakota’s at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2019. Noem gained national attention for her controversial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and her stance on various conservative issues, including abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. As a politician, she has been involved in several high-profile campaigns, including opposing cannabis legalization and advocating for restrictions on transgender participation in sports. Noem’s political career has also been marked by her advocacy for agricultural interests and her rural background as a farmer and rancher.
