I’m originally from South Dakota and even knew Thune’s uncle and went to high school with his cousins. Thune has largely given up South Dakota values and has become a power hungry swamp creature. However, at this point there really is no one else to vote for. Thune’s primary challengers are political lightweights and giving either of them the nomination could put a Democrat in Thune’s seat. South Dakota voters really don’t have a choice if they are to give the GOP a Senate majority and a prayer of stopping Biden’s highway to socialist hell.
Noem is an enigma to me. She rose politically after I left South Dakota so what I know about her has been filtered through second hand sources. While her roots are in South Dakota ranch country she is politically ambitious and has very effectively positioned herself to national prominence. Clearly she is setting herself up for national office. Does she retain conservative South Dakota values or would she compromise those values for her political ambitions…maybe. One thing is clear the leftist media loathes her and denigrates her at every opportunity. I have to admit that seeing her in jeans, a western shirt and cowboy hat on horseback carrying an American flag is a pretty powerful image of what America used to be and reminds me of Reagan.
Assuming Kristi Noem gets re-elected (which she probably will)< i suspect she’s a strong contender to be the next Republican nominee for Vice President. She has a pretty good reputation as governor, she’s attractive and well-spoken, and she might jsut appeal to the soccer moms.
I think she wants to be president, but I think if Trump or DeSantis asked her to be his running mate, she’d jump at it.