Governor

Kristi Noem was elected in November 2018 as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota. Kristi is a wife, a mother, and a lifelong rancher, farmer and small business owner, who will bring her experiences to Pierre to improve education and workforce training, take on the drug crisis, improve mental health, and increase transparency – all without raising taxes or making government too big.

Kristi was born and raised in rural Hamlin County in northeastern South Dakota. After a family tragedy, Kristi took over the family’s farm and ranch, stabilizing the operation and providing leadership when it was needed most. An avid hunter, she later started a hunting lodge as well.

Kristi continues to live on the farm and ranch with her husband, Bryon, and three children: Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker.

In 2006, Kristi was elected as the 6th District Representative to the South Dakota House of Representatives. During her second term, Kristi was elected to leadership by her peers, serving as Assistant Majority Leader.

By 2010, the day-to-day challenges South Dakotans faced were primarily at the hand of a broken federal government. Kristi’s commitment to common sense values earned her the opportunity to serve as South Dakota’s lone Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. During her time in Congress, Kristi helped to pass a Farm Bill, which included strong livestock disaster and crop insurance programs. She also led the way to crack down on human trafficking, improve school meal regulations, and fight back against an overreaching federal government. Her work helped to triple the size of the Black Hills National Cemetery, increase support for the Lewis & Clark Rural Water Project, and protect the Hot Springs VA from closure. In 2015, Kristi earned a seat on the Ways & Means Committee, largely considered the most powerful committee in Congress. There, she played a key role in writing and passing historic tax cut legislation that put $2,400 back in the pockets of the average South Dakota family.

Kristi is a graduate of South Dakota State University, where she earned her degree during her first term in Congress.