South Dakota Governor

The Buffalo Roundup: The Heart of the Wild West

September 29, 2023

Teddy Roosevelt is one of my favorite presidents. He embodied the spirit of Freedom. He cared about stewarding the land. And he appreciated the beauty of this nation. Read more . . .

Shall Not be Infringed

September 15, 2023

South Dakota has been setting the standard as the most Second-Amendment-friendly state in the nation for years. Read more . . .

Freedom Really Does Work Here

September 8, 2023

I launched the "Freedom Works Here" nationwide workforce recruitment campaign in June to tell South Dakota's story to America. Read more . . .

The Fight for Our Country

September 1, 2023

I was recently at the edge of "the Land of the Free" – the Southern border. Read more . . .

The World's Best Hope

August 25, 2023

The Great Seal of the Unites States contains a phrase – "E Pluribus Unum," "out of many, one." Read more . . .

A Note to Self: Called to Love

August 18, 2023

In the Gospel of John, shortly before Jesus is arrested, He says "my command is this: love each other a I have loved you" (John 15:12). Read more . . .

The Unsung Heroes of Sturgis

August 11, 2023

I didn’t think I’d find so much Jesus at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He’s everywhere all the time, but I didn’t expect to feel his presence at a pancake breakfast at the Buffalo Chip. Read more . . .

Sturgis: The Fastest and Freest

August 4, 2023

South Dakotans are a proud people. We are proud of our upbringings, our small-town values, and our old-fashioned work ethic. Read more . . .

Telling a Story of Hope

July 28, 2023

The United States of America was created because of a sense of hope. Our founders had the hope that one day we would be a nation of greatness, of self-governance, and of Freedom. Read more . . .

South Dakota Dreams: A "Freedom Works Here" Story

July 21, 2023

Alex moved to the United States from South Africa in 1995. He had lived in Seattle ever since – until the COVID pandemic and violent riots changed the city. Read more . . .

Too Close to Home: Combating the Prescription Drug Shortage

July 14, 2023

"Kristi, he's turning blue!" Those were the words of my mom when my son, Booker, was just four years old. Read more . . .

America: A Year-Round Celebration

July 7, 2023

I am a firm believer that our upbringing makes us who we are. I often talk about how I grew up on our family farm with my parents giving me impossible things to do. Read more . . .

Too Great a Nation

June 30, 2023

During Ronald Reagan's first inaugural address in 1981, he spoke of the significance of American values. Read more . . .

Freedom Works Here

June 23, 2023

South Dakota is hiring. As the first state to bounce back from the pandemic, we've got one of the nation's strongest economies – and more jobs than we can fill. Read more . . .

South Dakota: America’s Freedom Stronghold

June 9, 2023

You know the Founding Fathers, the men who laid the foundation for this great nation. You probably know Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, and Hamilton. Read more . . .

Grit and Grind: Building South Dakota for the Next Generation

June 2, 2023

I first ran for public office for a handful of reasons, but the reason at the heart of everything has always been my kids – and now my grandkids. Read more . . .

Improving Higher Education

May 26, 2023

South Dakota’s kids are our future. This point really hits home for those of us who are already seeing our own kids have kids of their own! And we must set our kids up with the skills and knowledge to build the best possible future for our state and nation. Read more . . .

Remembering Sheila

May 19, 2023

It is springtime in South Dakota and all things seem new! Read more . . .

Cherishing South Dakota Moms

May 12, 2023

I still remember the first time I was invited to my mother-in-law’s home for dinner when I was dating Bryon. I hadn’t really talked to Sharon or my father-in-law, Al, very much before, and I was nervous. Read more . . .

Travel Forward – Celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week

May 5, 2023

"Everyone must visit beautiful South Dakota. Pack your bags and rush to the car and start driving. With so many fun and exciting things to see and do, what will you do first?" Read more . . .

Building a Winning Workforce

April 28, 2023

My first job consisted of a list of farm chores – feed the horses, check the cows, clean the barns. But it was never my intention to keep that job forever. Read more . . .

A History Worth Learning

April 21, 2023

Our kids and our grandkids will be the next generation of leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs. They will also be the leaders of the future of our great American republic. They deserve an honest and factual classroom teaching that will prepare them to engage in our civil society for the rest of their lives. Read more . . .

Freedom, Guaranteed

April 14, 2023

President Reagan famously said, "the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." Read more . . .

Making the Best State in the Nation Even Better

March 31, 2023

As the 2023 legislative session comes to a close, I want to take a moment to look back at what the legislature and I were able to accomplish working together for the people of South Dak Read more . . .

Giving Back – Permanently

March 24, 2023

Every time I travel our state, the best part of my day is just meeting people. I run into old friends at Culver's or HyVee all the time. Read more . . .

Preserving Agriculture, Preserving Patriotism

March 17, 2023

I talk a lot about the American Dream. Unfortunately, that’s unusual these days. To me, the American Dream was an ideal that was embedded in my heart since I was a child. I think that had a lot to do with growing up on the farm. It was tough work, but one of the best lessons my parents taught us kids was that life isn’t easy. Read more . . .

For the People

March 10, 2023

There’s a perception that South Dakota’s future is charted in Pierre. That’s where big decisions get made; where Governors have taken historic actions; where legislators go every winter to represent the people and vote. But that perception misses our state’s foundational principle, our beautiful slogan: “Under God, the People Rule.” As elected leaders, when we make those decisions and cast those votes, we must do it on behalf of the people. Read more . . .

Mount Rushmore: Preserving Freedom in America

February 24, 2023

The celebration of Presidents' Day always brings attention to South Dakota. When people think of our state, they think of Mount Rushmore – and rightly so. Read more . . .

South Dakota’s Blueprint to Fight Communist China

February 17, 2023

South Dakota is a beacon of Freedom – an example of the good that comes from trusting people to exercise personal responsibility. And now, we’re setting an example by drawing the blueprint for a state-led response to the Chinese Communist Party. We first drew that blueprint in our COVID-19 response. We expanded it by banning TikTok for government devices. And we will add to it by blocking Communist China from buying South Dakota ag land, participating in state contracts, or infiltrating our telecommunications. Read more . . .

Empowering Families – Prioritizing Students

February 10, 2023

You've heard me talk a lot over the years about helping foster families so that we can build stronger families across our state. Read more . . .

Securing South Dakota Agriculture

February 3, 2023

Agriculture is the bedrock of South Dakota. The ag industry is tough, and it's often thankless, but it truly is how we feed the world. Read more . . .

Strengthening South Dakota Families

January 27, 2023

Family is everything. I grew up working our family farm and ranch with my parents and siblings. When my dad passed away, my siblings worked together to keep our family’s dreams alive. My greatest joy in life has been watching my children grow up into incredible adults with a deep love of their country and an even deeper love for the Lord – and now they’ve started blessing me with grandchildren, too! Read more . . .

2023 State of the State Address

January 10, 2023

Lieutenant Governor Rhoden, Mr. Speaker, members of the House and Senate, Chief Justice Jensen, Supreme Court justices, constitutional officers, and my fellow South Dakotans: Read more . . .

2022 Budget Address

December 6, 2022

Today, Governor Kristi Noem delivered the 2022 Budget Address, unveiling her budget proposal for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024. Read more . . .

Champions at the Capitol

January 20, 2023

This week, we welcomed the South Dakota State University football team to the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. Read more . . .

Building the American Dream

January 13, 2023

South Dakota’s economy has been thriving over the past few years, but even though our unemployment rate in 2022 was the lowest it’s been in our state’s history, we still have 23,000 open jobs in our state. These are growing pains, and we’re tackling them head on. That is how we will continue to build and advance the American Dream. Read more . . .

Governor Kristi Noem's 2nd Inaugural Address

January 7, 2023

Four years ago, I stood in front of you with my left hand on my dad’s Bible and my right hand raised, swearing an oath to uphold the Constitution of both the state of South Dakota and the United States of America. I had won a competitive campaign on election day and was honored to be chosen to be the 33rd governor and the first female governor of our state. We had spent the previous months planning for the day I would take office – learning from previous administration officials and former Governors. We had hired cabinet and staff – worked on a budget plan – and considered legislation to implement the vision I had committed to following through on for the people of South Dakota. Read more . . .

speeches & Columns