Kristi Noem

Kristi L. Noem is an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she later became the 33rd governor of South Dakota, holding office from 2019 to 2025, and subsequently served as the eighth U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security from 2025 to 2026. Known for her conservative positions on various domestic issues, Noem gained national attention during her tenure for her stances on immigration, gun rights, and her response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early life and career

Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem was born on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota, to Corinne and Ron Arnold. Raised on a family ranch and farm near Hazel, South Dakota, she grew up with her siblings in a rural environment that shaped her values and work ethic. Noem has Norwegian ancestry and is a descendant of Ephraim Wilson, a soldier in the American Revolutionary War. In her youth, she was recognized as the South Dakota Snow Queen in 1990 while attending Hamlin High School in Hayti.

Noem began her higher education at Northern State University, where she studied from 1990 to 1994 but did not complete her degree at that time. Her life took a significant turn in March 1994 when her father died in a grain bin accident, prompting her to leave college to manage the family farm. Shortly thereafter, she welcomed her daughter, Kassidy, into the world. To diversify the family business, Noem added a hunting lodge and restaurant to their property, with her siblings returning to assist in the expansion.

In pursuit of further education, Noem took classes at Mount Marty College's Watertown campus, South Dakota State University, and online courses from the University of South Dakota. While serving in Congress, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from South Dakota State University in 2012. Her time in Congress was notable for her receiving college intern credits, leading to her being dubbed "Capitol Hill's most powerful intern" by The Washington Post.

Noem's political career began in earnest when she was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2006, representing the 6th district. She won her initial election with 39% of the vote and was re-elected in 2008 with 41%. During her four-year tenure, she served as an assistant majority leader and was the prime sponsor of several bills that became law, including those aimed at property tax reform and expanding gun rights. Additionally, she was involved in the Agriculture Land Assessment Advisory Task Force, which focused on agricultural issues in the state.

House tenure

In 2010, Kristi Noem launched her campaign for South Dakota's at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She successfully secured the Republican primary nomination and went on to defeat the incumbent Democrat, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, in the general election. Noem's first term in Congress began in January 2011, and she was re-elected three more times, serving until January 2019.

During her time in the House, Noem was elected by her peers in the freshman class of 2011 to serve as a liaison to the House Republican leadership, making her one of the few women in GOP leadership roles at that time. In this capacity, she worked to advocate for significant cuts to federal spending and assisted Speaker John Boehner in managing the expectations of new members. Her leadership role extended to the National Republican Congressional Committee, where she was appointed as one of the regional directors for the 2012 election campaign.

In March 2011, Noem announced the establishment of her political action committee, KRISTI PAC, which aimed to support Republican candidates and initiatives. She was recognized for her fundraising abilities, ranking among the top freshman Republicans in PAC contributions during her first quarter in office.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout her congressional tenure, Kristi Noem focused on a range of legislative issues that aligned with her conservative ideology. One of her prominent areas of advocacy was abortion. Noem co-sponsored legislation aimed at federally banning abortion, including a significant 2015 bill that sought to amend the 14th Amendment to define human life as beginning at fertilization. She also supported measures to restrict abortion access after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

In addition to her work on reproductive rights, Noem took a stance on energy and environmental issues, notably expressing skepticism regarding the scientific consensus on climate change. Her comments on the subject indicated a belief that the science surrounding climate change was not definitive, reflecting a broader trend among some conservative lawmakers.

Noem's legislative focus also extended to gun rights, where she supported various measures to expand Second Amendment protections. Her commitment to these issues resonated with her constituents in South Dakota, a state known for its strong support of gun ownership rights.

During her time in the House, Noem served on various committees, where she contributed to discussions and decisions on key national policies. Her involvement in these committees allowed her to influence legislation on a range of topics, including agriculture, energy, and public health.

In summary, Kristi L. Noem's political career has been marked by her rise from local politics in South Dakota to national prominence as a U.S. Representative. Her tenure in the House of Representatives was characterized by her leadership roles, legislative initiatives, and a focus on conservative issues that aligned with her party's platform. After leaving Congress, she continued her political journey as the governor of South Dakota and later as the Secretary of Homeland Security, further shaping her legacy in American politics.