Governor Kristi Noem’s confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security was this morning, and the nearly three-hour hearing gave every indication that Governor Noem will be confirmed easily as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, likely early next week.
Noem’s State of the State Address, which she delivered on Tuesday, January 14, was very much a farewell address, as she recounted the achievements and events of her time in office. Hers was an eventful administration, defined by the Covid pandemic during her second year in office. Governor Noem’s handling of the pandemic gave her a national profile, ultimately propelling her to the office she will assume next week.
Noem was sworn in as Governor on January 5, 2019, so her tenure will end at just a few days more than six years. She will be the second Governor of South Dakota to resign the office and the third to leave office early. Richard F. Kneip resigned on July 24, 1978 after 7 years and 200 days as governor, forgoing the final five months of his term to accept an appointment from President Jimmy Carter as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore. George S. Mickelson died in a plane crash on April 19, 1993, 6 years and 103 days into his tenure.
Noem will be the first South Dakota official to be appointed to a President’s cabinet. Clinton P. Anderson, who served Secretary of Agriculture in the Truman administration, was a native of Centerville but had relocated years earlier to New Mexico and had been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from that state, serving from 1941-45.
Today, Governor Noem released her last weekly column, bidding farewell to South Dakotans and touting her lieutenant governor and successor, Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden:
My Great Honor
By: Gov. Kristi NoemYou probably know that President-elect Trump has called on me to serve, if confirmed, as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. It’s a tremendous honor and a great responsibility. The mission is to keep the American people safe from threats to the Homeland.
That leaves me in a position where I may say “farewell” to all of you in the very near future. But South Dakota will be in good hands.
Almost seven years ago, people recommended I pick a Sioux Falls businessman to be my running mate. But I didn’t. I asked a West River rancher to join me on the ride of a lifetime. Larry Rhoden stepped up to the plate. He has been more than just a partner in this role – he has been an adviser, a source of wisdom, and (this is sometimes more important) a source of laughter.
I chose Larry to run with me because I knew that a day like today might come. I knew that it was always possible that I might not be your governor anymore – whether that circumstance be the result of tragedy or opportunity. So I wanted a partner who would lead this state just as I would. I wanted someone who realized that our rights come from God, not from government – that it is our duty to protect the rights and Freedoms of our people. I wanted a friend – and Larry has been a friend since I was first elected to the state legislature almost 20 years ago.
I trust Larry and our leaders in the legislature to knock it out of the park – because that is the trust that the people have bestowed in them.
“Under God, the People Rule.” Our people are worth serving. They are the very best in America. They have been such a blessing and a source of joy to me and my family.
So although I am saying “farewell,” please know that I’m not going far. South Dakota has always been my home – and it is still my home. I will continue to focus on making our people safer, stronger, and freer.
To the people of South Dakota: thank you for the incredible honor of serving you as state representative, as congresswoman, and now as governor. Thank you for trusting me and for working with me to accomplish incredible things.
SoDak Governors 