Sioux Falls, SD — The Argus Leader released a report on November 29 detailing Governor Kristi Noem’s use of $68,000 taxpayer dollars to redecorate the South Dakota Governor’s Residence. This includes a sauna that cost more than $8,100 and $13,000 in rugs—including one rug that cost $4,000 alone.

Steve Haugaard, Republican candidate for governor, had this to say in response: “Governor Noem seems to have a pattern of spending taxpayer dollars on personal expenses. First, she spent $130,000 on a TV studio and high-priced makeup kit for her regular national TV appearances. Then, she spent $492,000 on a security fence around her residence. Perhaps we should be grateful that the sauna only cost $8,100.”

The cost of installing the sauna was not even included in the accounting documents obtained by the watchdog group that requested them.

Haugaard continued, “Governor Noem is no fiscal conservative. From her personal spending to her ill-advised taxpayer-funded media campaigns, everything is meant to boost her own image and appease the many lobbyists who haunt the hallways of the people’s House in Pierre. My campaign is focused on transparency, genuine leadership, and putting South Dakotans first.”

Steve Haugaard is the state representative for House District 10 and former Speaker of the House. He is running to replace Kristi Noem as governor of the great state of South Dakota. More about Steve can be found at his website, www.stevehaugaard.com.