NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — The United States Senate has just confirmed that former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem will serve as the eighth U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. And North Dakota politicians are celebrating as Secretary Noem moves to D.C. for her new position. Secretary Noem has long served the people of South Dakota. She was South Dakota's 33rd governor, and the state's first ever female governor. She was re-elected in 2022, with what officials say was the largest vote total in the history of South Dakota. Now as the secretary of homeland security, North Dakota politicians are hopeful for how Secretary Noem can help achieve Republican goals. Senator John Hoeven says, "We need to stop the illegal immigration crisis caused by the Biden administration's refusal to enforce our laws. As the head of the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Noem is committed to working with us to secure the border and keep Americans safe." Senator Kevin Cramer says, "Kristi Noem is tough and determined, and the right person to implement President Trump's number one promise to the American people. We need her leadership now more than ever."