Photos: Gov. Kristi Noem through the years (2024)

Gov. Kristi Noem presents the U.S. flag before the national anthem is played at the Professional Bull Riders competition on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Governor Kristi Noem gives an update on back to school planning on Tuesday, July 28, at John Harris Elementary School in Sioux Falls.

Gov. Kristi Noem speaks Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, after being sworn-in as South DakotaÕs 33rd and first female governor in Pierre, S.D.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Gov. Kristi Noem greet President Donald Trump and first Lady Melania Trump upon arrival at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Friday, July 3, 2020, in Rapid City, S.D. Trump is en route to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Mayor Paul TenHaken and Gov. Kristi Noem survey the damage done to businesses after Sunday's protests turned violent on Monday, June 1, 2020 at Riddle's Jewelry in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Gov. Kristi Noem talk as they wait for President Donald Trump to step off Air Force One upon arrival at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Friday, July 3, 2020, in Rapid City, S.D. Trump is en route to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Gov. Kristi Noem surveys the damage done to businesses after Sunday's protests turned violent on Monday, June 1, 2020 at Riddle's Jewelry in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Gov. Kristi Noem surveys the damage done to vehicles after Sunday's protests turned violent on Monday, June 1, 2020 at the School for the Deaf in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Jeff Halberstadt speaks with Gov. Kristi Noem after damage was done to his business when Sunday's protests turned violent on Monday, June 1, 2020 at Halberstadt's in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Gov. Kristi Noem announces that Sanford Health will lead a clinical trial testing the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as treatment and prevention of COVID-19 on Monday, April 13, 2020 at the Sanford Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Gov. Kristi Noem gives an update on the coronavirus in South Dakota on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at the Sanford Center in Sioux Falls.

Governor Kristi Noem gives the annual State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Pierre.

Gov.-elect Kristi Noem talks about her plans for her term as governor Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Kristi Noem address supporters while she makes her acceptance speech after being announced the new governor of South Dakota Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sioux Falls. Noem made history by being the first female governor of South Dakota.

Gov. Kristi Noem tours the damage from a tornado in Burke on Aug. 7, 2019. Two people were injured in the storm that struck Aug. 6.

Governor Kristi Noem looks at Speaker of the House Steven Haugaard after thanking him for a comment following her State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Pierre.

Governor Kristi Noem gives the annual State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Pierre.

Kristi Noem sits down with Don Jorgensen and Sammi Bjelland for the gubernatorial debate with Billie Sutton Tuesday, Oct. 23, at KELO TV in Sioux Falls.

Governor Kristi Noem gives the annual State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Pierre.

Governor Kristi Noem gives the annual State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Pierre.

Kristi Noem address supporters while she makes her acceptance speech after being announced the new governor of South Dakota Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sioux Falls. Noem mad history by being the first female governor of South Dakota.

Governor Kristi Noem bows her head for the national anthem at the groundbreaking for the first veterans cemetery in South Dakota on Monday, September 9, in northeast Sioux Falls.

Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden and Governor Kristi Noem applaud after a successful groundbreaking for the first veterans cemetery in South Dakota on Monday, September 9, in northeast Sioux Falls.

Governor Kristi Noem listens to Madison, SD law enforcement explaining the city's current situation following severe flooding on Thursday, September 12, while police chief Justin Meyer shows her drone footage.

Gov.-elect Kristi Noem is sworn in as South DakotaÕs 33rd governor, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 in Pierre. Noem is the first woman to hold the position of governor in South Dakota.

Gov.-elect Kristi Noem is sworn in as South DakotaÕs 33rd governor, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 in Pierre, S.D. Noem is the first woman to hold the position of governor in South Dakota.

Gov. Kristi Noem waves to the people in attendance at her inauguration ceremonies on Saturday at the capitol building in Pierre.

Gov.-elect Kristi Noem sits down for a 1:30 p.m. meeting at the South Dakota State Capitol Wednesday, Dec. 19, in Pierre.

Kristi Noem address supporters while she makes her acceptance speech after being announced the new governor of South Dakota Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sioux Falls. Noem mad history by being the first female governor of South Dakota.

Kristi Noem address supporters while she makes her acceptance speech after being announced the new governor of South Dakota Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sioux Falls. Noem mad history by being the first female governor of South Dakota.

South Dakota Governor-elect Kristi Noem waves as she is recognized by President Donald Trump during a ceremony to pardon the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

President Donald Trump speaks during a fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial hopeful Kristi Noem in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Donald Trump speaks during a fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial hopeful Kristi Noem, left, in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Kristi Noem greets a supporter outside of KELO TV before the gubernatorial debate with Billie Sutton Tuesday, Oct. 23, at KELO TV in Sioux Falls.

GOP gubernatorial candidates Marty Jackley and Kristi Noem shake hands after the debate in downtown Sioux Falls Thusday, May 31, at the Orpheum Theater. The debate was sponsored by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, The Argus Leader, and KSFY.

Gubernatorial candidate and Congresswoman Kristi Noem speaks during an interview at the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

Rep. Kristi Noem speaks with a Robert Bennis Elementary School student during a question-and-answer session after Rep. Noem congratulated students and staff on being named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School.

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem delivers her acceptance speech while her family listens during the Minnehaha GOP Republican election party at The District in Sioux Falls.

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem delivers her acceptance speech while her family listens during the Minnehaha GOP Republican election party at The District in Sioux Falls.

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem delivers her acceptance speech while her family listens during the Minnehaha GOP Republican election party at The District in Sioux Falls.

U.S. House candidates Kristi Noem (Republican) and Paula Hawks (Democrat) debate during the Rotary Club Downtown Sioux Falls monthly meeting on Monday at the Holiday Inn City Centre.

Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., will be playing in honor of Maggie Einrem at the congressional women’s softball game Wednesday. Einrem was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. Her cancer is now in remission.

In this Jan. 22, 2014 file photo, U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., speaks in Pierre to the South Dakota Senate.

Kristi Noem

Rep. Kristi Noem

Rep. Krisit Noem reads to class at Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge in October of 2015.

U.S. Representative Kristi Noem speaks at a townhall meeting Feb. 17, 2015. Noem voted Friday to deny Planned Parenthood federal funding for one year.

Rep. Kristi Noem

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem shakes hands with paradegoers during the 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2015, in Lennox, S.D.

President Barack Obama shakes hands with U.S. Rep Kristi Noem and U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds and U.S. Sen. John Thune look on during a visit to South Dakota on Friday, May 8, 2015, in Watertown, S.D.

Rep. Kristi Noem speaks during Minnehaha County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in this April 19, 2013, file photo.

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem debates with Corinna Robinson during Dakotafest in Mitchell on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014.

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem talks with supporters during Dakotafest in Mitchell on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014.

Congresswoman Kristi Noem at a town hall meeting in 2013.

U.S. House candidate, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin speaks at a debate with Kristi Noem and B. Thomas Marking Wednesday at the Sioux Empire Fair. (Elisha Page/Argus Leader)