In recent times, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem have little in common beyond their shared background as former members of Congress turned Midwestern governors.
Walz, who is now Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, is a favorite of the Democratic Party's liberal wing. In contrast, Noem, once seen as a potential vice-presidential pick for former President Donald Trump, is firmly rooted in the conservative circles of the GOP. Since Walz's nomination as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, Noem has been vocal in her criticism, labeling him as a "radical" and criticizing his approach to governance, particularly during the Covid pandemic when she emphasized maintaining "freedom."
However, just a decade ago, Walz and Noem had a notably different relationship. As colleagues in the House of Representatives, they co-sponsored legislation, took selfies together, and spoke highly of one another. In a video promoting a prairie lands bill over ten years ago, they were cordial and complimentary.
"It's a smart bill, and I'm grateful to the Congresswoman both as we share similar geography out there, and while our producers are great stewards of the land, we share that land with our sportsmen and making sure that we have those resources available," Walz, then a congressman, remarked as he sat beside Noem.
Noem responded warmly, saying, "I love working with Tim just because he’s got such a commonsense approach, which I like too."
Fast forward to today, and Noem's tone is strikingly different. Recently, she took to X (formerly Twitter) to say, "Walz is no leader. He’s a radical. I served with him in Congress. He pretended to be moderate, then showed his true extremist colors as soon as he became governor."
In media appearances, Noem has further intensified her rhetoric. On NewsMax, she accused Harris of choosing a "radical leftist governor who truly believes that socialism is the future for America" as her running mate. During an interview with Fox News, Noem criticized Walz's response to the protests following George Floyd's death in 2020, claiming he "didn’t take decisive action" and failed to support law enforcement.
Walz has refrained from engaging with Noem’s recent attacks. His spokesperson, Teddy Tschann, emphasized Walz's commitment to bipartisanship, particularly in supporting farmers and veterans.
"Governor Walz routinely worked with Republicans in Congress to pass legislation aimed at helping veterans and farmers, and he struck bipartisan deals with a split legislature in Minnesota to cut taxes and fund schools," Tschann stated. "He knows how to compromise without compromising his values, and he’ll always work across the aisle if it means delivering for the American people."
Meanwhile, Ian Fury, a spokesperson for Noem, reiterated her criticisms of Walz, calling into question his effectiveness as governor.
“Governors are CEOs, and their agendas speak to their priorities. As Governor, Walz’s radical agenda has shown he consistently tramples on basic freedoms and refuses to protect the rights afforded to all Americans—while Governor Noem has stayed true to the U.S. Constitution by allowing people to make their own decisions,” Fury said. “Tim Walz has been a horrible CEO of Minnesota. He’s lost thousands of people and billions of dollars in business to other states, including South Dakota. When someone fails this badly, they don’t deserve to be promoted.”
Their time together in Congress saw a different dynamic. They co-sponsored the Protect Our Prairies Act of 2013, a bill aimed at discouraging farmers from using protected land for crops. In a promotional video for the bill, Walz and Noem sat side by side, emphasizing their shared rural backgrounds and mutual respect.
“I love working with Tim just because he’s got such a commonsense approach, which I like too,” Noem remarked in the video.
Walz added, "It’s not theoretical for us. It’s how we grew up. We lived in these towns, and our rural areas are not just underdeveloped urban areas. These are unique places to live that people choose to be there and I think it’s important."
During their time in Congress, Noem and Walz co-sponsored over 150 bills together, with Noem introducing eight bills co-sponsored by Walz and Walz bringing forward four bills co-sponsored by Noem. Their collaboration was noteworthy, given their differing political ideologies.
This partnership was driven by their shared priorities, particularly in agriculture and rural land protection. Their states’ proximity made cooperation seem natural, especially on issues like preserving pheasant habitats, as noted by Randolph Briley, a former congressional staffer for Walz.
However, as governors, their paths have diverged significantly. Walz's achievements in expanding social welfare programs have been criticized by Republicans as overly liberal, while Noem has positioned herself as a staunch conservative leader.
The relationship between the two further soured during the Covid pandemic, with Noem opposing lockdown measures and Walz implementing restrictions in Minnesota. Their differences became even more pronounced as Noem's national profile grew.
By 2024, the former camaraderie had devolved into pointed remarks on social media. In response to Noem’s anecdote about shooting her dog in her book "No Going Back," Walz joined a chorus of governors mocking her on X.
“Post a picture with your dog that doesn’t involve shooting them and throwing them in a gravel pit. I’ll start,” Walz tweeted, accompanied by a photo of his own rescue dog.
