The South Dakota Republican governor told RedState the energy she feels as she travels the country campaigning for President Donald J. Trump and other GOP candidates reminds her of the 2010 Tea Party wave that swept her and 62 other freshmen congressmen into the Capitol.
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“I’ve been in states across the entire country – we definitely have the energy and the momentum right now,” said Governor Kristi L. Noem, who is termed out after her second term in January 2027.
“The Tea Party has grown into the America-First movement, and the energy is similar, but also unique in a few key ways,” said the married mother of three. “The biggest difference between now and 2010, when I was first elected, is we have a leader in Donald Trump who is proven – he has a track record.”
Noem said that as big as the Tea Party movement became, it never had a president in its corner.
“Trump proves the rising tide that lifts all boats,” she said. “We didn’t have the White House after that Tea Party Wave – when we send Donald J. Trump back to the White House, he will be able to deliver for the American people in a big way.”
Thursday, she called out “Shark Tank” regular Mark Cuban, who said on “The View” that Trump surrounds himself with weak, unintelligent women.
Noem, who boasts a strong working relationship with the president, posted her statement on X.
“Mark Cuban just said he’s never seen President Donald Trump around strong and intelligent women—well: ‘Game on, Buddy. I’ll take you on any day in a debate or maybe even arm wrestling.’”
My RedState colleague Nick Arama wrote about Cuban’s uber-gaffe in her piece: “Mark Cuban’s Sputtering Effort to ‘Clarify’ Insulting Women Around Trump Just Digs the Hole Deeper.”
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Throughout the 2024 campaign season, Noem has appeared with Trump, but maybe the most significant joint event was the Oct. 14 town hall in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
At the townhall, Noem moderated a conversation with the president and fielded questions from his supporters, including Philadelphia native Charles Strange and his wife; they asked the president to help them and the other families learn what really happened to the nearly 40 personnel killed, including Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Strange, in the Aug. 6, 2011, crash in Afghanistan of the Chinook with the call sign Extortion 17.
The president told the Stranges that he would commission a probe in his first week back in the White House.
Read more about Trump’s engagement with the Stranges and the Extortion 17 crash: “Trump Promises Gold Star Father He’ll Probe Extortion 17 Crash That Killed 17 Navy SEALs, 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 with the Gold Star family.
“President Trump just cares so much for people. He doesn’t think he’s better than anyone. He connects with people on such a fundamental and individual level,” the Watertown, South Dakota, native said.
“He loves our veterans and Gold Star families most of all,” she said.
“You could tell in that moment that he wasn’t just making a promise the way that far too many politicians make promises,” the governor said. “He was committed to helping this family find some peace in Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Strange’s sacrifice.”
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Noem backs 14 GOP Senate candidates in 2024 cycle
One constructive way that Noem continues to be a national figure is her party-building work around the country.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in our Senate battlegrounds with candidates like Bernie Moreno, Eric Hovde, and Tim Sheehy,” the governor said.
“I think the media is discounting how much the enthusiasm for President Trump is translating to these down-ballot races,” she said.
Of the three Senate cycles, this one is the only one that favors Republicans.
Senate Democrats are defending 23 seats, with 19 Democrats and four Independents caucusing with Democrats. Senate Republicans are only defending 11 seats.
Noem said she is especially committed to the GOP’s Senate candidates.
“When Republicans take back the Senate, it will be because of the enthusiasm for President Trump and his America First policies,” she said.
“These candidates will be successful because they are a strong reflection of that America First agenda,” she said.
“I’ve directly donated the max amount from our PAC to 14 GOP Senate candidates across the country to help – and I’ve invested $1.75 million on behalf of candidates and committees to help take this country back,”
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In a statement to The Dakota Scout, Noem said she was helping the candidates so that 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 accomplish his America-First vision,” she said. “I will continue doing everything I can to help these candidates win to restore American strength, prosperity, and freedom.”
The GOP candidates each receiving $5,000, the most 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-Mich.), 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 those contributions, while not game-changing, put her in good stead with the men and women who vote to confirm presidential nominees.
Noem’s PAC also contributed $25,000 to the fight against her state’s Amendment G referendum, which would weaken legal protections for unborn children.
Noem remains on the national stage from South Dakota
When Noem left the Capitol to become the Swinged Cat State’s governor, she stayed on the national stage as a leader against the restrictive COVID-19 regime—keeping the state open over the objections of Democrats and federal officials.
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Now, she said she is listening to the regular Americans who come to the events for Trump and other Republican candidates.
“I hear from a lot of folks who have game-changing campaign ideas or messaging tips,” Noem said.
“Most often, people just want me to tell the president: ‘Thank you!’ and that they’re praying for him,” she said.
“They are so grateful to see someone stand up every day and fight for them, and even take a bullet for them,” she said.
“They want to make sure that he knows that he’s not alone in the fight, even if they don’t have the opportunity to tell him themselves.”