VIEWPOINT: A governor of significance

Guest column by Ian Fury

“Ian, when all is said and done, we will have lived lives of significance.” 

Gov. Kristi Noem said that to me one day when the job felt like too much. The latest media hit piece had me feeling down – but she reminded me why we do what we do. She reminded me to keep focused on our goal: making South Dakota the best state in the nation to live, work, and raise a family. 

Gov. Noem has been tremendously successful in that effort – so her critics are working overtime. 

As Margaret Thatcher (another terrific female leader) famously said, “If I walked on water, my critics would say it was because I couldn’t swim.” 

After another media hit piece that criticizes the governor for “high staff turnover,” I reminded myself of those two quotes by those two female leaders. And now I feel compelled to set the record straight. 

VIEWPOINT: Why I’m contributing $50,000 to the open primary ballot initiative in South Dakota