Noem speaks at Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas 2021. Courtesy | Slate
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will visit Hillsdale Sept. 11 to speak on Minnesota’s and South Dakota’s respective policies at 3:30 p.m. in Plaster Auditorium.
Hillsdale College Republicans is hosting Noem’s talk “The Tale of Two States: South Dakota’s Success vs. Minnesota’s Socialism,” which will compare her policies with those of Minnesota governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Joseph “Hinson” Peed, president of Hillsdale College Republicans.
“She has been in the same situation as Minnesota, but she’s reacted completely differently, and today you see a completely different state because of how they enacted policies,” Peed said. “Noem brings a new, fresh perspective. She started as a political outsider, and even to this day, doesn’t really function like most politicians do.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem refused to mandate facial coverings, issue stay-at-home orders, or close businesses, and instead left those decisions up to South Dakotans.
Hillsdale College Republicans Vice President Josiah Jones said Noem’s talk will also compare the respective policies of the Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz campaigns.
“So much in this election, we’re seeing the candidates attack each other simply on character. We’re not actually voting on policy, and no one’s coming to focus on policy,” Jones said. “I think that’s really important to show the contrast between the destructive policy of the Harris-Walz ticket compared to the prosperous future of the Trump-Vance ticket.”
Peed also said he hopes Noem’s talk will help students better understand the effects of Walz’s policies in Minnesota before the election.
“Tim Walz, until a few weeks ago, was generally unknown, which is unfortunate, because he really shouldn’t be unknown,” Peed said. “He should be known as somebody who destroyed his own state. I think it’s really important that we highlight who he is for the true destruction that he has caused.”
The Hillsdale College Republicans’ non-endorsement clause says the club does not affiliate with or endorse speakers.
“Speakers’ views are their own,” the clause reads. “Our chapter supports the right to free speech.”
Attendees will be able to ask Noem questions, and members of Hillsdale College Republicans can get their photos taken with her after the talk.
The event is open to all of campus and Peed said students can register on Handshake per request of the President’s Office.