Kristi Noem, Rising GOP Star, Under Fire for 20 Speeding Tickets

Elected officials, and public officials in general, should lead by example. The days of double standards are over, and a new era of accountability and transparency is upon us. In case you're wondering what a person's driving record has to do with their voting record, the point is that the sheer numbers suggest she believes she's above the law. It's not acceptable to continue to engage in irresponsible behavior and then, issue public statements expressing regrets. It would be a sad day for South Dakota if this person received even a single vote.

It's not your poor driving record, stupid. It's your flagrant disrespect for the law and the court system. All of the red flags are there that this is another politician who feels she is above the law. Let's see if the residents of South Dakota are smart enough to let her know that she isn't.

While I have to agree that a persons past mistakes have nothing to do with their ability or desire to help others. I also have to wonder where she is in such a hurry to get in life, that she is willing to dis-regard other peoples safety. I've seen a child killed by a person doing the speed limit. The chances of this happening only increase with speed. If we speed through life, we miss those little signs of approaching danger and that one thing that may help us make the right decision. Like rushing through the wording of a law, only to discover later that it hurts more people than it helps. Had our fore-fathers done this, where would America be today? On the same note, her opposition should consider how petty they appear, if they have to resort to slinging mud, rather than standing on their own qualities to lead. Like Mrs. Noems speeding, they rush to win instead of thinking! I believe they should ALL just slow down and consider the PEOPLE they are wanting to represent.

This individual is inherently dishonest. She does not think laws apply to her. She thinks she is above laws. Speeding is a sign of aggressive behavior and... of trying to get ahead at the expense of others. Her actions and motives make her a typical politian. She is a perfect political candidate.

I can't believe the postings that consider this minor, and am especially infuriated by those who remark that these are things we've all probably done. I'm 63 and have been driving legally since I was 15. I'm sure I've driven more than a million miles...and have NEVER had a moving violation, and have been involved in 2 accidents, being rear ended while stopped at a light, and the other was caused by a sniper shooting through the windshield of my truck in Vietnam. This woman's record show's a deeply impaired judgement...and I kinda think impaired judgement has a lot to do with America's current situation, rather than which political party did whatever.

Voters get the leadership they deserve by either not voting or not doing enough research on the candidates. As a voter based on the information in this article Noem got elected to the state legislature. A sad statement on her ethics. Perhaps her opponent had worse ethics and many quality people are shunning politics. But maybe the voters don't care about ethics.

Funny how you would focus on speeding tickets when our country is heading for a financial crisis. Typical ... when it's a republican who is at fault.

The only thing more disheartening than talking about her poor driving record rather than the poor economy and jobs is using the poor economy and jobs as a smoke screen rather than taking responsibility for ignoring the law. Just another politician who doesn't think the rules apply to her - NEXT!

How is this woman still behind the wheel of a car? Not only is this kind of driving behavior an early indicator that she is going to kill someone but it is also proves to me that she basically believes that she is above the law, that she can do anything she wants and get away with it. She obviously doesn't care about anyone else and is on a power trip to get her way and do whatever it takes to be in charge. She actually believes that when she is in charge that finally all her problems will be solved and she will find true happiness. Thus, her actions are warranted and the cost will be a thing of the past. Her license needs to be pulled and she should hire a chauffeur to drive her, one that would obey the laws and succumb to her rantings of 'faster, faster'. As the rest of us strive to obey the law and be as safe as possible on the highways of America she is making a mockery of safe driving. She should not be allowed to do so. Is this a typical republican? If so no wonder they are losing!

Traffic tickets ARE relevant when determining an individual's integrity and their respect for the law and for human life. The question arises: were her children with her during any of these episodes?. I don't live in South Dakota and the election may never have an impact on my life but, if I was a Dakotan, this is not the person I would want representing ME.