Historic Moment Kristi Noem Takes Her Place As South Dakota’s First Female Governor vBy Randy Dockendorf On Election Night 2018, Kristi Noem smashed one of the last major glass ceilings in South Dakota politics. The Republican became the state’s first female governor. The Castlewood native has built a career of public service at both the state and national levels. She was first elected as a South Dakota state legislator and then as the Rushmore State’s lone representative in Congress. In claiming the House seat a decade ago, she defeated the first woman to hold that seat, Democrat Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. Now, Noem has returned from Capitol Hill to take another political role much closer to home. Noem emerged from two 2018 political battles on the path to the governor’s office. She won the hard-fought Republican primary over Attorney General Marty Jackley, advancing to the November general election. She then emerged with a tight victory over Democrat Billie Sutton, with Libertarian Kurt Evans as a third candidate. During the 2018 campaigns, Noem said she didn’t play up her role as a female candidate. In a mid-December interview, she described herself to the Press & Dakotan as a candidate who happened to be a woman. “I didn’t run for governor asking people for their vote because I was a woman. I wanted them to vote for me because I had the best experience and was the best person for the job,” she said. “But now that we’re past the election cycle, I’m recognizing how special it is to many in the state (to have a female governor), especially young women who want the opportunity to show their leadership in the future.” Other women have run for governor and even won their party’s nomination. However, Noem became the first female to achieve the ultimate goal. She finds the timing of her win as historically significant. “It’s been 100 years since women got the right to vote,” she said. “So in this centennial year, it’s pretty neat to be sworn in as South Dakota’s next governor. I’m starting to recognize the historical importance of it. This may encourage more women to run for office.” Noem’s win came during what was termed “The Year Of The Woman.” For various reasons, increasing numbers of women ran for — and won — office at different levels across the nation. While Noem’s victory came during the wave, she doesn’t believe her gender played the defining role in her gubernatorial triumph. “I don’t think it’s part of the setting. The post-election analysis that looked at the race said I didn’t win because I was a woman. I won because of my stands on the issues, my platform and what is important to our state,” she said. “The ‘Year Of The Woman’ was certainly a national narrative. But in our (South Dakota) races, we tend to elect people based on who they are and their stands on the issues.” 14vHERVOICEvJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 Taking On A New Role During her campaign, Noem emphasized her experience and the relationships she had built both in Pierre and Washington. However, she told the Press & Dakotan that congresswoman and governorship represent very different offices. “In Congress, you’re fighting for South Dakota’s values as one of 435 House members,” she said. “It’s very important work, but as governor, you’re CEO of the state. It’s a very different role with its responsibilities and decisions that you make every day.” At the time of the Press & Dakotan interview, Noem found herself with a foot in both Washington and Pierre, transitioning out of her U.S. House office and into the governor’s seat. “I’m wearing two hats right now, but when I become governor I need to hit the ground running,” she said. “The transition has gone well, but we have to make a lot of decisions (as the incoming administration). We have to hire staff, we’re appointing cabinet members, and we’re preparing the state budget and policy proposals. It all has to be finished before the Legislature begins its session January 8.” Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who held the office for the past eight years, has provided tremendous assistance in the transition, Noem said. “Governor Daugaard has opened up his books as far as running his office,” she said. “We have spent hours together, going over information and background on how he made his decisions. I can use that information in making my own decisions.” At the same time, Noem is closing down her U.S. House operation and handing the reins to her GOP successor, Dusty Johnson. As she leaves Congress, Noem noted the passage of a farm bill. She has also spoken of the need to keep open the Yankton Federal Prison Camp, which had been the subject of possible closure under federal budget cuts and streamlining of the U.S. Department of Justice prisons. “I’m wrapping up things in Washington,” she said. “I have given Dusty all of my files, emails and contacts so he’s able to hit the ground running from where I left off. I don’t think people will sense any changes (in the office’s operation).” Making Good On Promises As she takes charge of the governor’s office, Noem seeks to follow through on her campaign promises. “I am committed to my ‘Four Pillars of Protection’ against higher taxes, big government, federal intrusion and government secrecy,” she said. “It will require collaboration and input to preserve these values, to improve our education and workforce training opportunities, and to tackle drug abuse and crime.” One of the Noem’s first major tasks in office is presenting her budget