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She embodies the rural spirit of MAGA like few others. Born in Watertown, South Dakota, Kristi Lynn Noem was raised on her family\u2019s farm in a densely rural county.<\/span><\/p>\n She began studying at Northern State University, but dropped out after her father died in an accident. She then took over running the family business.<\/span><\/p>\n Her political career began in 2006, when she entered the House of Representatives of her home state, where she remained until 2010. That year, she was elected to the House of Representatives in Washington, DC, representing a district in South Dakota. She remained there until 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n She is remembered for her support of conservative policies, ranging from tax cuts and deregulation to opposition to Obamacare and climate change initiatives. She also supported Trump\u2019s so-called Muslim ban (2017) and legislation against abortion rights.<\/span><\/p>\n In 2019, she made history as the first woman elected governor of South Dakota, a position she held until 2025. Here, she is associated with actions such as resisting federal mask-wearing policies and lockdowns during the pandemic, perhaps two of the factors that led to the high COVID-19 mortality rates in her state. She is also known for her opposition to abortion and passing bills expanding gun rights.<\/span><\/p>\n Her national breakthrough came in 2024 as Donald Trump\u2019s vice-presidential candidate; but, more than for her policies, she was known for her dog, Cricket. \u201cA wirehair pointer, about 14 months old,\u201d she wrote in a pompously titled book <\/span>No Going Back: The Truth on What\u2019s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n