Taxpayer-backed credit card use rose with Kristi Noem’s national profile

Travel, lodging for former South Dakota governor’s security detail largest portion of $750,000 paid on two state charge accounts

Former Gov. Kristi Noem’s rise to national prominence began five years ago with a sharp increase in travel around the country.

But the spotlight had a cost.

For Noem, who was in demand as a speaker at conservative events and campaign rallies in addition to state-related business, that meant more than $300,000 on plane tickets, rental cars and hotel rooms for a security detail.

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