Sioux Falls, SD — In light of today’s testimony from Sherry Bren, former head of the state appraiser’s program, state representative Steve Haugaard is calling for the Legislature’s Government Operations and Audit Committee to subpoena Kristi Noem and Kassidy Peters to testify under oath as to the chain of events that led to Ms. Peters receiving her appraisers certification outside of normal procedures.

“In her testimony, Ms. Bren said that she was “intimidated” in her meeting with Governor Noem and her daughter at the Governor’s Residence,” said Haugaard. “She also testified that she could not recall an instance during her three-decades as executive director of the South Dakota Appraiser Certification Program that a struggling applicant received the opportunity to fulfill a “stipulation agreement,” which amounts to a third chance at getting their certification.”

Haugaard continued, “The intimidation of a public employee for the purposes of nepotism—in this case, special treatment for a family member—is a very serious charge. Ms. Bren’s testimony directly contradicts statements from Governor Noem and her spokesman. In light of this, I think it only appropriate that the Committee subpoena Governor Noem and her daughter to testify under oath as to what really took place at the Governor’s Residence, the actions of Marcia Hultman, and why Sherry Bren was forced out of the position she held for three decades. In the case of Ms. Bren, it appears that a serious miscarriage of justice has occurred, and I want to thank her for her courageous testimony today.”

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.