South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security nominee, criticized the California governor as she tried to reassure senators that she would avoid

So far, Kristi Noem appears to have strong backing from GOP senators who will be crucial to her confirmation as head of the Department of Homeland Security.

Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security Committee pressed Kristi Noem, President-elect Trump’s nominee for secretary of Homeland Security, on whether she would apply conditions to or withhold disaster aid based on politics at her confirmation hearing Friday.