Outspoken swimmer helps Gov. Noem in new attack ad on Jamie Smith

The Republican governor took arrows from conservatives for vetoing a 'Fairness in Women's Sports' bill in 2021

Oct 10, 2022

∙ Paid

Kristi for Governor began airing an advertisement Monday featuring Riley Gaines, an All-American swimmer pushing restrictions on transgender girls and women participating in athletics designated for girls and women. (Screen grab)

Riley Gaines, a former swimmer at the University of Kentucky who's been outspoken about transgender athletes competing in women's sports, is featured in a campaign ad for Gov. Kristi Noem that attacks Noem’s opponent, Sioux Falls state Rep. Jamie Smith.

The ad comes less than a month ahead of the Nov. 8 election and could provide cover for the first-term Republican on a topic where she took criticism from within the GOP in the past.

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