Pat Powers Brookings, SD $7006 Dear Pat, Ofcourse, I am turning to you first. While representing South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives has been the honor ofa lifetime, I never wanted to make a career out of Congress. So, following this recent election, Tam eager to work with President-elect Trump to finally accomplish what we’ ve been working for since I arrived in the House back in 2011: repealing ObamaCare, rolling back regulations, passing a new Farm Bill that works for us, and reforming the tax code . . . «but after the next two-year term, I will return home to the state I love and focus all my energy on what we can do to make sure South Dakota’s future is brighter than ever. Enclosed with this letter, you’ll find a copy of a recent Argus Leader article about my announcement. I hope you'll take a minute to read it today and get a clear picture of how this race is shaping up in the very early stages. But first, [ hope you will do me a very important favor by signing your Noem for Governor Pledge of Support and mailing it back to me using the envelope provided. Now, Pat, I know we just got through one campaign season and we all need a break from politics. Trust me, I know! But even though my campaign won't kick off officially until next year, you deserve to know that I am “all in,” and I really need to know that you will be on my team. You’re among my most loyal friends and allies anywhere in South Dakota, and your help for Bryon and me over the years has meant so, so very much. So, Pat, please tell me . .. may I have your support? No matter how much you choose to contribute, the most important partis that Over, please . .. Paid for by Kristi for GovernorPage two you respond quickly, for two reasons. Forstarters, you're a longtime supporter, and it’s important for me personally to know that ‘you are on board with my plans to run for Governor. By signing and returning your Pledge of Support, you are telling me you approve of, my work in Congress, and that you believe in me as I get ready to come home and take on this new challenge. Seeing your signed Pledge here next week would be very, very meaningful to me and give me a boost of encouragement as we begin planning the race. ‘Secondly, if can quickly raise some early “seed money” by the end of this year, that will give me a huge advantage over the other candidates once the race begins. If everyone I write today offers one special gift ASAP, we will enter 2017 on very strong ground ready to begin taking our practical conservative message to the voters. This is important, because all during my career, I have made it a priority to have a strong base of supporters and volunteers — individual men and women who share our policy goals and want to help spread our message. So in that spirit... . the same spirit of a “citizen legislator” who serves temporarily before returning home, I ask that you remain a leader for me and be among my very first friends to step forward and join our campaign team. Because I truly believe I have the knowledge, the experience, the vision and the values to ead South Dakota to a strong and vibrant future. ‘As I think you know, the formative event that shaped my future (and much of my political outlook) was when I lost my father following a tragic farming accident. I had to leave college and take on a big role on our family farm. Amid all the grief and chaos, we were hit with the Death Tax, which imposed a tremendous burden on us for a full decade. After Bryon and I pulled together with my mom and brothers to get our family business back on its feet I began to think of other ways to help build a brighter future for our three kids, I felt I had something more to offer the people of the state that had been so good to me, so I won a seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2006 and was elected by my Republican colleagues in Pierre to serve as Assistant Majority Leader by 2008. By the time 2010 rolled around — with President Obama and ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi imposing their big-spending, extreme agenda on America, I strongly felt our country needed a heavy dose of South Dakota common sense, So I launched a grassroots campaign for Congress, campaigned on a conservative agenda, and (thanks to you!) won. Next page, please...Page three Lam proud of my record in the U.S. House. Whether it’s been working to repeal ‘ObamaCare, protecting our agriculture industry, strengthening our military, helping South Dakota small businesses or helping individual South Dakotans confront problems with the federal government, I will walk away from Congress knowing I did what I said I would do. T'll take that same attitude to this new challenge. As I run for Governor, I will leave no doubt about where I stand or what I will try to do should I have the privilege to serve you in Pierre. My focus, energy, and effort will be on the issues we all care about: *** JOB GROWTH ~ My number one priority will be to make sure our state has a dynamic, diverse economy, offering opportunities for people in many different types of careers, empowering families to achieve all their financial goals, and making sure our young people are able to stay here in South Dakota, building careers surrounded by family and friends. Governor Daugaard has done an excellent job promoting our state as a great place for business expansion and relocation, and we can’t afford to ease up on that one bit. By keeping taxation and litigation low, maintaining a strong Right to Work law, investing in a skilled workforce with more scholarships for technical and vocational training, we can continue growing our economy in a way that gives all families a chance to get ahead. ‘** FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY — During the course of my life, I have had to really hustle to make a dollar and pinch pennies to keep our business afloat. I am proud of my votes to reduce government spending in Congress, and I will bring that same attitude to Pierre, working with fellow fiscal conservatives to hold down expenses and make sure you are not paying any more in taxes than necessary to fund the government. *** FEDERALISM - Let's face it — our Republican Legislators and Governors here in South Dakota have done a much better job balancing budgets, growing our economy, and solving problems than we've seen in ‘Washington during the Obama Administration. Having seen the workings of Congress in-person, I believe as governor I’ll be very effective when it comes to protecting our state from misguided federal policies (like the EPA’s anti-jobs agenda and many others) pushed by overreaching liberals in DC. Once the campaign officially begins, we will be providing detailed policy positions on a Variety of issues. And I will campaign all across the state, speaking to voters about my agenda to help our state reach its full potential. Over, please...Page four But before any of that, | need to know you are with me, Pat. When I first ran for the South Dakota House of Representatives, it was an uphill race, When I first ran for Congress, I was an underdog. I expect nothing different this time, I expect a closely contested election. > So please return your completed Pledge of Support along with one generous campaign contribution of $225, $175 or $125 as soon as possible. It’s very important for us to close out 2016 on strong financial ground. More importantly, Ineed to know that longtime friends like you will “have my back” right from the start. ‘Thank you in advance, Pat. I look forward to hearing back from you. Sincerely, PS. South Dakota and all of America’s future depends on our ability to create new opportunities and make tough decisions. With my experience as a small business owner, rancher, state legislator and member of Congress, I believe I am well prepared to make those decisions and lead this state we love to a bright future, That’s why I am asking for your support to serve as the next Govemor of South Dakota. The campaign will not officially begin until next year, but first, I am asking a small number of key supporters to sign on with me in 2016 and offer the “seed money” we need to get this going. So please sign and return your Pledge of Support along with a donation of $225, $175 or $125. ‘And please respond promptly — it’s important for us to raise campaign funds before 2016 isover. ‘Thank you again, Pat, for your prayers, your support, and the opportunity to once again eam your trust and your vote.Argus Leader PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK ‘Tuesday | November 18, 2016 | argusleader.com WE UU Teas BID FOR GOVERNOR CONGRESSWOMAN ‘ALL IN; WITH EYE ON HISTORIC ROLE IN STATE a bid to become the frst female Seen er) lookin ae de Monde Seer cent ere ete eee a Noem Continued from left “We just got through one campaign season, and we all need a break from politics,” Noem said. “So while my campaign won’t kick off officially until next year, I want you to know that I am all in.” Although she didn’t say it, Noem’s decision to run for governor was forced by a ballot issue that voters approved last week. Initiated Measure 22, which becomes law on Wednesday, contains a provision barring candidates for governor from collecting more than $4,000 a year from any person or political committee. Once effective, the language would mean that Noem couldn’t transfer more than $4,000 from her congressional campaign account to an account for a governor's run. Under current law, federal office holders can transfer all of their ‘money into a state account. For Noem, that would mean forfeiting a huge advantage: Prior to Tuesday’s election, her congressional campaign was reporting nearly $1.9 million in the bank, an amount that would make her a formidable candidate in the Republican primary. Continued on page 2 WEATHER, — vastness Yoon | NEX gem ig cme an meg ] AORTA [re ee | econ,Noem Continued from page 1 Last week, state Rep. Mark Mickelson announced that he would not run for governor in 2018, surprising many of his supporters. Mickelson, whose father and grandfather served as governors, was viewed along with ‘Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley, as one of the top contenders for the Republican nomination. Following Mickelson’s announcement, both Noem and Jackley signaled their interest in the race, although both said they were focused on their current jobs. Jackley’s tenure as attorney general also ends in 2018. But Noem’s announcement Monday was unequivocal. “Our future depends on our ability to honestly evaluate where we are today and make the tough choices necessary to create new opportunities for families and small businesses,” she said. “I want our young people to thrive in South Dakota. I want them to be able to find rewarding careers and raise their children surrounded by family and friends ~ in communities that solve problems together.” Noem isn’t the first woman to run for governor. Democrat Susan Wismer won her party’s nomination in 2014, but she fell short in her bid to unseat incumbent Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who is termed out in 2018, Her decision caught some supporters by surprise, One was Leroy Pietz, a farmer from Tripp. Pietz said he could understand why oem would want to spend more time near her ranch in Castlewood, noting that former President Ronald Reagan JAY PICKTHORN/ARGUS LEADER Kristi Noem, who will turn 45 this month, was comfortably re-elected to the House last week. Her decision Monday to run for governor caught some. Supporters by surprise. liked to mend fences and chop wood ‘on his ranch in order to clear his Pietz said he wants to know more about why she wants to be governor. “L think she would do a good job,” he said, Karen Kellen of Aberdeen said she has heard Noem speak several times. She said that Noem knew what she was talking about and shared Kellen’s South Dakota values. While she thinks Noem would be a good governor, she is also happy with her serving in the U.S. House. “1 think she would do a good job, really do,” Kellen said. Noem, who will turn 45 this month, defeated Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in a 2010 wave election that saw Republicans seize control of the House following the first two years of the Obama administration. Prior to the House, Noem served two terms in the state House of Representatives, including two years in the leadership. Her decision not to seek another term in the House will trigger « competitive race to replace her. ‘Two of those potential candidates are Dusty Johnson, the former public ies commissioner and chiet of staff to Daugaard, and curren! Secretary of State Shantel Krebs. Johnson said that he loves his job in the private sector and lover spending time with his family in Mitchell, But a House bid is something he might consider. “I'm a policy wonk and I love helping people,” he said. “Politics hax never been that far out of my mind.” Krebs said she thinks Sout Dakotans want a break from politics. But given the opening in the House, she said South Dakotans are looking for somebody who has helc government accountable, which is what she’s done in her office. “Lam going to seriously conside it,” she said., War oa KRISTI eros NOEM for Govermov Brookings, SD 57006 O Yes, Kristi! You can count on me 100% as you plan your campaign to run for Governor of South Dakota! | agree that our state needs strong conservative leadership to create jobs, hold down taxes and spending, and protect our values. With your experience as a small business owner, rancher, and legislator, | know you are prepared to lead our state. You will have my full support from “day one” of the campaign! Signature: Date: Pat Powers, Brookings, SD C To help our campaign close out 2016 on strong financial ground, | have enclosed my most generous gift of: $225 osi7s 0$125 Other $_ PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: KRISTI FOR GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 527 + SIOUX FALLS, SD 57101 Please see reverse to make a contribution by credit card and for important contributor information.