Noem, Kristi, 1971-

Kristi Lynn Noem (née Arnold; November 30, 1971) is an American politician serving as the 33rd and current governor of South Dakota since January 5, 2019. She is a member of the Republican Party.

Born in Watertown, South Dakota and raised in rural Hamlin County, Noem graduated from Hamlin High School in 1990 and attended Northern State University, pausing her education to help run her family ranch after her father's death. Attending college part-time at Mount Marty College, South Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota while managing and growing her family's business, Noem eventually earned a B.A. in political science from South Dakota State in 2012.

Noem’s first experience in public office was as an appointed member of South Dakota’s Farm Service Agency committee. In 2006, she won a seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives representing the 6th District, serving for four years. Winning the Republican primary for South Dakota's at-large Congressional seat in 2010, Noem narrowly defeated incumbent Democrat Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in the general election. She was easily re-elected to three more terms. On November 14, 2016, Noem announced that she would not seek reelection to Congress but instead run for governor of South Dakota in 2018. She defeated incumbent South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley in the June 5 primary, 56% to 44%, and Democratic nominee Billie Sutton in the general election, 51.0% to 47.6%.