Noem raises $1.35 million for re-election

• Kristi Noem

Rep. Kristi Noem

Talk about it

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., announced Tuesday she had raised $1.35 million for her re-election as of the end of December.

“South Dakotans have once again responded generously with their support, not only for our campaign, but for the agenda we’re fighting for in Washington, an agenda focused on cutting wasteful spending and burdensome regulations,” Noem wrote on her campaign’s Facebook page and Twitter account.

She reports having $969,340.73 cash on hand.

When she ousted incumbent Democrat Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in 2010, both women spent more than $2 million.

With Herseth Sandlin out of the race, observers expect Noem won’t need quite as much cash to take on a newcomer. Democrats Matt Varilek and Jeff Barth have announced their candidacies.

Of Noem’s total, $276,598 was raised in the fourth quarter of 2011, continuing what she describes as a record-setting fundraising pace for a South Dakota U.S. House incumbent.

Tags: kristi noem, election 2012, matt varilek, jeff barth, news, updates