South Dakota’s Kristi Noem Ignites More 2024 Speculation
Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, has said repeatedly that she is not interested in running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.
However, two events this week have fueled speculation that the first-term conservative governor and strong supporter of former President Donald Trump – whom political analysts see as a possible presidential candidate – might have national aspirations in the upcoming election.
The prominent Iowa-based social conservative organization The FAMiLY Leader revealed on Wednesday that Noem would be the keynote speaker at their 10th annual Leadership Summit in Des Moines on July 16.
ANNOUNCEMENT: @govkristinoem has confirmed as a speaker for the 10th annual FAMiLY Leadership Summit! #FLS21
Noem will be joining a star-studded lineup, with more names to announce, for the July 16 event in Des Moines!
Tickets, details: https://t.co/ERohvXxPqr pic.twitter.com/vjvUSovLd1
— The FAMiLY LEADER (@theFAMiLYLEADER) May 11, 2021
Reports said the Iowa caucuses have kicked off the presidential nominating calendar for the past half-century, and any visit to the Hawkeye State by potential White House contenders creates even more hype for 2024.
“We are grateful to once again welcome nationally prominent voices and leaders to Iowa for the FAMiLY Leadership Summit,” Bob Vander Plaats, the group’s president and CEO said in a statement.
Noem was also the featured virtual guest at the latest meeting of the “Right of Center” party of New Hampshire conservative activists and politicians, which was first mentioned by Fox News, just hours before the Iowa announcement.
2024 Watch: @FoxNews reports that @govkristinoem to headline this Wednesday's 'Right of Center' meeting of New Hampshire conservative leaders and activists. Pundits consider the South Dakota governor a potential 2024 #GOP White House hopeful #2024Election #FITN #iacaucus #scpol pic.twitter.com/u2aeo0Soam
— Paul Steinhauser (@steinhauserNH1) May 10, 2021
“2024 Watch: @FoxNews reports that @govkristinoem to headline this Wednesday’s ‘Right of Center’ meeting of New Hampshire conservative leaders and activists. Pundits consider the South Dakota governor a potential 2024 #GOP White House hopeful #2024Election #FITN #iacaucus #scpol,” Paul Steinhauser of Fox News said.
New Hampshire has hosted the first presidential primary for over a century.
Though Noem avoided questions about 2024, she did frequently criticize President Joe Biden, often claiming that “what we’ve seen come out of the Biden administration has been utterly devastating.”
“We’ve pushed back on several fronts,” Noem, who is up for re-election in 2022 has said. She has over the past year become a conservative hero for her opposition to coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, who spent much of 2020 bucking coronavirus guidelines and cozying up to Donald Trump, is a favorite among far-right conservatives for 2024 — provided Trump doesn't run again. https://t.co/eqrmcQFeds
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 2, 2021
The South Dakota governor was present at early cattle calls for future GOP presidential candidates in 2024, including the Republican National Committee meeting in January and the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February, both of which were held in Florida.
In a CPAC straw poll on the GOP presidential nomination in 2024, Republicans in attendance voted Noem as their number two option – second to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – for president, should former Republican chief executive Donald Trump decide not to run.
Meanwhile, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney made headlines last month when she signalled that she’s not “going to rule anything in or out” when asked by the New York Post about a possible 2024 presidential run.
Booted from her top three leadership posts at the House GOP, Cheney told Fox News’ Brett Baier that “[she’s] not” mulling a potential White House bid.
Congresswoman @RepLizCheney reacts to losing her leadership position, the future of the GOP and more tonight on #SpecialReport @FoxNews https://t.co/pPbBD2pCZQ
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) May 13, 2021
Reports noted, however, that the next morning, “Cheney called into a New Hampshire morning news/talk radio show,” reigniting further 2024 speculation about the Wyoming congresswoman’s future political plans.
Liz Cheney Doesn't Rule Out 2024 Run Against Donald Trump: 'Whatever It Takes' https://t.co/MNQHAIM7sA
— People (@people) May 13, 2021
When asked about the next presidential election during an interview with “New Hampshire Today,” Cheney – a fierce critic of former President Trump – said “it’s not anything I’m concentrating on,” but clarified that she’s also “not ruling something in or out.”
