Kristi Noem Advocates for Female Running Mate for Trump in 2024
Summary: South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem expressed her support for Donald Trump having a female running mate in the 2024 presidential election, emphasizing the potential benefits in appealing to female voters in swing states. Despite being loyal to Trump since his 2016 campaign, Noem does not mind not being considered for the vice-presidential spot herself. She defended a controversial story from her memoir about killing her puppy, reflecting on the challenging decisions she has made in her life.
In a recent interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem shared her thoughts on the importance of Donald Trump selecting a female running mate for his 2024 presidential bid. While Noem emphasized her unwavering support for Trump since his initial campaign in 2016, she clarified that she is not concerned about being included in the list of potential vice presidents.
“I’ve told President Trump over and over again, he needs to pick whoever helps him win,” Noem said, stressing her commitment to Trump’s success. “He’s told me his priority is picking a running mate that can govern on day one. I don’t care. I love my job in South Dakota. I care about the fact that I want him to win.”
READ MORE: Trump’s VP Search Heats Up: Four Key Contenders Under Scrutiny
Noem highlighted the strategic advantage of choosing a female running mate, particularly in gaining support from female voters in key swing states. Of the seven known candidates being vetted for the vice-presidential position, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik is the only woman. Noem believes this could play a significant role in the election’s outcome.
“I think that that would be beneficial,” Noem remarked. “According to the polling that I’ve seen for him, in a lot of swing states, is that having a woman that is helping him campaign makes a difference.”
Earlier in the year, Noem herself was considered a potential vice-presidential candidate for Trump. However, her name was notably absent from the current list of vetted candidates, which includes Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.
The interview also addressed a controversial story from Noem’s memoir, where she recounts shooting her puppy, Cricket, in a gravel pit. The incident, which happened two decades ago, was criticized by both Democrats and Republicans. Noem defended her actions, explaining it was a necessary decision to protect her children and livestock from the aggressive animal.
READ MORE: Supreme Court’s Dilemma: Navigating Trump’s Immunity Case
“That story’s a 20-year-old story of a mom who made a very difficult decision to protect her children from a vicious animal that was attacking livestock and killing livestock and attacking people,” Noem explained. “So it’s in the book because it was difficult for me.”
Reflecting on whether she regrets the incident or its inclusion in her memoir, Noem shared that she has learned valuable lessons from such challenging experiences. “I’ve learned that challenging times and hard decisions are hard,” she said. “And that when you get into public office, you learn from every single one of them and you use that knowledge to go forward and to make wise decisions that are best for America.”
Governor Noem’s insights on Trump’s potential running mate and her personal reflections underscore her continued influence and dedication within the Republican Party, even as she maintains a focus on her role in South Dakota.
