South Dakota’s Kristi Noem Set To Endorse Trump Friday

Kristi Noem is set to make waves in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries.

According to inside sources, the popular governor of South Dakota is expected to endorse former President Donald Trump at a rally in Rapid City on Friday.

The decision comes amid reports that Trump is considering Noem as his running mate.

As CNN reports:

Once a potential 2024 candidate herself, Noem initially inched away from Trump after last fall's midterm elections and the launch of his latest campaign. She told The New York Times at the time that she didn't believe the former president offered “the best chance” for the Republican Party in 2024.

However, the South Dakota governor has since changed her tune, opting out of a White House bid and offering support for Trump. But Noem is still angling to be in the 2024 discussion. She's remained in contact and on good terms with the former president, according to sources familiar with their interactions. Ads touting her state's low taxes and job openings aired during last month's first Republican presidential debate and since then on Fox News. She also attended that debate, bringing donors as guests.

Noem has another connection: Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former campaign manager and confidant, has advised her since 2020. Lewandowski's on-again-off-again relationship with the former president has leveled, according to sources, and he now regularly speaks to Trump.

“The fact is, none of them can win as long as Trump's in the race. And that's just the facts. So why run if you can't win,” Noem, who has been in touch with Trump and his team, said of the former president's primary rivals in an interview on Fox News's “Fox and Friends.”

Noem has generally demurred when asked about her interest in the vice presidency. Still, she told Fox News' Sean Hannity, “Of course [I] would consider it” if Trump offered.

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