The Republican governor of South Dakota told RedState that the energy she feels as she travels around the country campaigning for President Donald J. Trump and other GOP candidates reminds her of the 2010 Tea Party wave swept her and 62 other freshman members of Congress into the Capitol.
“I’ve been in states across the country – we definitely have the energy and the momentum right now,” said Gov. Kristi L. Noem, who will be recalled after her second term in January 2027.
“The Tea Party has evolved into the America First movement, and the energy is similar but also unique in some important ways,” said the married mother of three. “The biggest difference between now and 2010, when I was first elected, is that in Donald Trump we have a leader who is proven — he has a track record.”
Noem said that as gigantic as the Tea Party movement has become, it has never had a president in its corner.
“Trump is proving the rising tide that lifts all boats,” she said. “After that Tea Party wave, we no longer had the White House – if we send Donald J. Trump back to the White House, he will be able to do great things for the American people.”
On Thursday, she called out “Shark Tank” regular Mark Cuban, who said on “The View” that Trump surrounds himself with frail, unintelligent women.
Noem, who boasts of a close working relationship with the president, posted her statement on X.
“Mark Cuban just said he’s never seen President Donald Trump around strong, intelligent women – well, ‘Play on, buddy.’ I’ll take you to a debate or maybe even arm wrestling any day.’”
keep playing, @mcuban.#WomenforTrump https://t.co/vkJcMi888L pic.twitter.com/ENh2HEbqdk
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) October 31, 2024
My RedState colleague Nick Arama wrote in her article about Cuban’s excessive faux pas: “Mark Cuban’s sputtering efforts to ‘clear up’ abusive women around Trump only digs the hole deeper.”
Throughout the 2024 election campaign seasonNoem has appeared with Trump, but perhaps their most significant event together was the town hall on October 14th in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
At the town hall, Noem moderated a conversation with the president and answered questions from his supporters, including Philadelphia native Charles Strange and his wife; They asked the president to lend a hand them and the other families find out what really happened to the nearly 40 people killed in the Aug. 6, 2011, crash of the Chinook call sign Extortion in Afghanistan, including Marine Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Strange 17.
The president told the Stranges that he would commission an investigation during his first week in the White House.
Read more about Trump’s involvement with the Stranges and the Extortion 17 crash: “Trump promises Gold Star father he will investigate Extortion 17 crash that killed 17 Navy SEALs and 21 others.”
Noem, who brought the Stranges on stage and stood with them as they spoke to the president, said she was not surprised by Trump’s connection to the Gold Star family.
“President Trump just cares so much about people. He doesn’t think he’s better than anyone else. He connects with people on such a fundamental and individual level,” said the Watertown, South Dakota native.
“What he loves most is our veterans and Gold Star families,” she said.
“You could tell in that moment that he wasn’t just making a promise, like far too many politicians do,” the governor said. “He was determined to help this family find some peace through the sacrifice of Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Strange.”
Navy Gold Star Dad: “It was the greatest loss of life in the war… To this day we have not gotten any answers… I’m begging you. We would welcome a congressional hearing.”
President Trump: “In the first week we will set up a commission – we will find out.” pic.twitter.com/QXFyEpgo52
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 14, 2024
Noem is supporting 14 Republican Senate candidates in the 2024 cycle
One constructive way Noem remains a national figure is through her party-building work across the country.
(*14*) the governor said.
“I think the media is underestimating how much enthusiasm for President Trump is impacting these campaigns,” she said.
Of the three Senate cycles, this is the only one that favors Republicans.
Senate Democrats are defending 23 seats, with 19 Democrats and four independents caucusing with the Democrats. Republicans in the Senate are only defending 11 seats.
Noem said she is particularly committed to the GOP Senate candidates.
“If Republicans take back the Senate, it will be because of enthusiasm for President Trump and his America First policies,” she said.
“These candidates will be successful because they strongly reflect the America First agenda,” she said.
“I have donated the maximum amount of our PAC directly to 14 Republican Senate candidates across the country to help – and I have invested $1.75 million on behalf of candidates and committees to help take back this country.”
In a statement about it The Dakota ScoutNoem said she is helping candidates so Trump has more votes in the Senate to advance his agenda:
“We need to send Donald J. Trump back to the White House, and he needs Republicans in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to help him achieve his America First vision,” she said. “I will continue to do everything I can to help these candidates win and restore the strength, prosperity and freedom of America.”
The GOP candidates receiving $5,000 each, the highest amount allowed under campaign finance limits between federal candidates and PACs like Noem’s, include Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Rep. Jim Banks ( R-Ind.), Mike Rogers (R-Michigan), Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Capt. Sam Brown (R-Nev.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Gov. Jim Justice (R-W .Va.), Eric Hovde (R-Wis.) and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).
It goes without saying that while these posts are not groundbreaking, they serve her well with the men and women who vote to confirm presidential candidates.
Noem’s PAC also donated $25,000 to fight her state’s Amendment G referendum, which would weaken legal protections for unborn children.
Noem remains on the national stage from South Dakota
As Noem left the Capitol to become governor of the swinging cat state, she remained on the national stage as a leader against the restrictive COVID-19 regime and kept the state open over the objections of Democrats and federal officials.
Now she said she’s listening to regular Americans who come to events for Trump and other Republican candidates.
“I hear from a lot of people who have groundbreaking campaign ideas or messaging tips,” Noem said.
“Most of the time people just want me to tell the president, ‘Thank you!’ and that they pray for him,” she said.
“They are so grateful to see someone fighting for them every day and even taking a bullet for them,” she said.
“They want to make sure he knows he’s not alone in the fight, even if they don’t have the opportunity to tell him themselves.”
