South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem endorses former President Donald Trump at a South Dakota party fundraiser, positioning herself as a potential vice presidential choice.
While Trump’s rivals engage in early voting states, he headlines the South Dakota Republican Party’s “Monumental Leaders Rally,” where Noem appears by his side. Insiders suggest that this display was meant to resemble a presidential ticket.
In her endorsement, Noem declares her commitment to helping Trump win and save the country. She mentions that all Republican candidates were invited, but only Trump accepted. This event highlights Trump’s dominance in the Republican race, despite facing several indictments and felony counts. South Dakota’s late primary and lack of competitiveness in the general election make it an unconventional choice for such a rally. However, Trump’s campaign strategy focuses on state party events instead of large-scale rallies, which helps reduce costs amid legal expenses.
This event also serves as an audition for Noem. She strategically plans to maximize face time with Trump as he considers potential running mates and cabinet members for the 2024 election. While Noem’s spokesman declined to comment, her term limit in 2026 and her desire to maintain prominence in the GOP suggest that she is considering her next move.
Michael Card, a South Dakota politics observer, speculates that Noem could hold positions such as the future National Rifle Association president or conservative commentator. However, hitching her wagon to Trump seems like the best opportunity since he has a 50-50 chance of getting elected, according to Card.
Although it’s early for serious discussions about running mates, Trump has expressed interest in selecting a woman this time. Other names floating around include New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, and Trump’s current rivals, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Trump’s visit to Iowa, the first state on the GOP nomination calendar, signals his focus on the general election. However, Noem’s endorsement demonstrates her evolution in thinking since November, when she stated that Trump didn’t offer the best chance for the party in 2024. Now, she vocalizes her willingness to join a potential Trump ticket and highlights her qualifications as a strong partner.
This South Dakota event marks Trump’s first visit since 2020, where he headlined a fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore. Noem gained national attention for her hands-off approach to the pandemic and her alignment with Trump’s desires to resume normalcy. Re-elected last year, she continues to position herself nationally through her advocacy for the National Rifle Association and support of Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.
Overall, Noem’s endorsement of Trump at this rally not only reinforces his dominance in the Republican race but also positions Noem as a potential running mate. As the primary season gains momentum, strategists believe that Trump’s indictments and upcoming trials could significantly impact the race. Nevertheless, those who aspire to be Trump’s running mate openly jockey for the position and seek favor with him and his aides.
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