Kristi Noem is an American politician serving as the Governor of South Dakota since January 2019. She is a member of the Republican Party and previously represented South Dakota's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. Noem is known for her conservative policies and has focused on issues such as economic development and education. Born on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota, Noem grew up on a ranch and later earned a degree in Agricultural Business from South Dakota State University. She has been involved in politics since 2006, when she was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives.