Rapid City Journal
U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem brought her campaign for the Republican nomination for governor to Rapid City on Wednesday, along with a House colleague.
Liz Cheney, daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, has represented Wyoming’s at-large congressional district since 2017. She accompanied Noem to an afternoon coffee at the Bethel Assembly Church, endorsing Noem’s run for South Dakota governor.
“If we have to lose Kristi in Congress, I can’t imagine a better place to lose her to than to be your governor here in South Dakota,” Cheney said.
Noem faces state attorney general Marty Jackley, former state rep. Lora Hubbel and attorney Terry LaFleur in the June Republican primary for the right to face state senate minority leader Billie Sutton, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Noem answered questions during the scheduled 90-minute informal visit addressing a wide range of issues ranging from school shootings and funding for the military to Medicare. Around 50 people, mostly women, attended the event.
Noem vowed to emphasize family values in schools and restore transparency and integrity to state government.
“We could really be a strong example on how to reform a government,” she said. “We’re making headlines for scandal and mismanagement on issues like EB-5 and GEAR UP and refugee resettlement, when we should be making headlines for the great things we’re doing for our kids and grandkids.”
Asked about expanding Medicaid payments, Noem said her goal is to actually get more people off of the government-funded health care program.
“I’m a big believer that if we can get people into jobs and working, that there’s a lot of folks on Medicaid that could be off of it, because they have the opportunity for better health care,” she said. “And I know the elderly are in a different situation.”
Noem also appeared at a listening session on youth drug addiction and delivered a noontime address to the Veteran’s Coordination Commission meeting at American Legion Post 22 in Rapid City.