Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) endorsed former President Donald Trump on Friday, referring to him as "the fighter that our country needs."
Noem shared her support for the former president during a rally held in South Dakota before thousands of people in attendance.
Kristi Noem Endorses Trump for President: ‘The Fighter Our Country Needs’ https://t.co/fN901BfBCB
— Frances (@Shadowtails54) September 9, 2023
“It is my honor to present to you the man in the arena,” Noem said in her introduction before Trump's speech.
“He is a man of significance. He is the leader, the fighter that our country needs. He has my full and complete endorsement for president of the United States of America. I will do everything I can to help him win and save this country," she added.
Gov. Kristi Noem expected to endorse Trump as VP rumors swirlhttps://t.co/U6BtEZxcVm
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) September 8, 2023
"Rumors have continued to swirl that Noem herself could be on a shortlist of potential vice-presidential picks on Trump’s 2024 ticket," RSB Network reported.
"Noem has made a name for herself in politics with her even-keeled handling of the Covid pandemic, steering clear of mask mandates and vaccine mandates," it continued.
Noem says she would ‘absolutely’ consider joining Trump 2024 ticket: ‘In a heartbeat’ https://t.co/ci1cZIGHzD via @nypost
— wyntre (@Wyntre999) September 8, 2023
“'Oh, absolutely,' Noem said during an interview with Newsmax, when asked whether she would consider a theoretical opportunity to be on the 2024 Republican presidential ticket with Trump," according to the New York Post.
"I would in a heartbeat,” she added. “Just because you respect the position and the person who asks you to do something and then see if you really believe that you could make a difference.”
Trump likewise endorsed Noem during her 2022 run for reelection in South Dakota. After initially remaining quiet about Trump's comeback bid, she is now fully on board with his campaign, publicly adding her backing for his attempt to return to the White House.
Trump continues to lead by a wide margin in polls among Republicans nationwide, including in South Dakota, where he spoke at Mount Rushmore three years ago on July 4.
The timing is too soon for Trump to make any announcement concerning a vice presidential running mate, but Noem appears to be among the most likely candidates, offering a strong conservative leader to Trump's already powerful campaign against the large GOP field of contenders in the 2024 race.
