Who Is Kristi Noem?

            Kristi Noem is the Republican Governor of South Dakota, and she has been in the news lately for making a stand despite much criticism. She took some heat from critics because she refused to lockdown her state in the battle against the coronavirus. She was one of only a few governors to resist the pressure to issue a statewide lockdown. She gave the following explanation for her lack of action earlier this month.

Our Constitution ensures that the citizen’s right is protected. I agree with the role of our government as set forth in our state and in our national Constitution. I took an oath to uphold these constitutions. My role with respect to public safety is something I take very seriously.

The people themselves are primarily responsible for their safety. They are the ones that are entrusted with expansive freedoms – they are free to exercise their rights to work, worship, and play – or to stay at home, or to conduct social distancing. The calls to apply a one-size-fits-all approach to this problem in South Dakota is herd mentality, not leadership.

            The people of South Dakota expressed appreciation for Governor Noem’s leadership today when they surprised her with a parade in her honor. There were numerous vehicles in the caravan, interspersed firetrucks, construction equipment, and larger vehicles. 

The Governor did not recognize at first that the parade was in her honor, but she expressed her delight with these words, “I am so blessed to serve the people of the great State of Dakota. You folks made my day!”