Gov. Kristi Noem announces she's recovering after a successful back surgery
Gov. Kristi Noem announced Monday she is recovering from a successful surgery following a recent back injury.
Noem had an acute condition impacting her lumbar spine, according to a press release from Noem's office, which quoted her doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., Dr. Mohamad Bydon, a neurosurgeon who specializes in spine injuries.
She was treated at the Mayo Clinic within the last week after several weeks of medical treatment in South Dakota.
Gubernatorial powers were not transferred to Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden while Noem underwent surgery. Noem "was always in power," despite having back surgery at the Rochester, Minn. hospital recently, according to Tony Mangan, a spokesperson for the governor's
There is no requirement under South Dakota law that gubernatorial powers be transferred to the lieutenant governor if the governor is sick.
In a video posted to Twitter, Noem said that while she is recovering, she'll be limited in some of her duties.
An important update from Governor Noem: pic.twitter.com/6gmrPgcqTP
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) September 12, 2022
"I won't be able to stand for more than 10-15 minutes at a time and I won't be able to get out and about South Dakota like I love to do so much," she said.
Noem said the surgery would not impact her campaign for reelection. The first-term governor faces Democratic challenger Rep. Jamie Smith in November.
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This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem announces successful back surgery following injury
