Kristi for VP: What would it mean?

On Friday evening, former President Donald J. Trump visited Rapid City to address South Dakota Republican Party’s “Monumental Leaders” fundraiser.

What began as a boost for SD GOP Chairman John Wiik’s fundraising event morphed into a Trump election rally, attended by several thousand of his supporters.

Many national news outlets noted that the rally also appeared to be in support of the vice-presidential prospects of Governor Kristi Noem, who endorsed Trump’s presidential candidacy at the rally. The New York Times was the most explicit, reporting that the “Race to be Trump’s running mate begins as Noem endorses him.” Several rally goers made their support clear as well, prominently waving signs that read “Trump Noem 2024”.

It’s the third time that Trump has come to South Dakota in aid of Kristi Noem. In 2018, President Trump came to Sioux Falls to headline a record-breaking fundraising to bolster Noem’s gubernatorial candidacy in a surprisingly close race against Democrat Billie Sutton. In 2020, Trump came to Mount Rushmore to boost his own reelection, delivering a major address as he brought the Fourth of July fireworks back to the monument, fulfilling a goal of Noem’s.

A vice-presidential nomination for Governor Noem would be a historic milestone for South Dakota. The only native South Dakotan to receive such a nomination was Hubert H. Humphrey, a native of Doland and Huron who was a U.S. Senator from Minnesota when he was elected in 1964 on a ticket with President Lyndon B. Johnson.

U.S. Senator George S. McGovern of South Dakota was the Democratic nominee for President in 1972. He lost in a landslide to President Richard Nixon, not even carrying South Dakota as Nixon carried forty-nine states.

No South Dakota official has ever been nominated for vice president, and no South Dakota official has ever been elected on a national ticket. Governor Noem has the potential to set both milestones.

And, though some political observers dismiss the prospects of a VP selection from South Dakota – a solid Republican, three electoral vote state – recent history shows these factors not to be disqualifying. Five of the last twelve major party nominees for vice president have been from 3 EV states: Cheney from Wyoming in 2000 and 2004, Palin from Alaska in 2008, and Biden from Delaware in 2008 and 2012. Another four of the twelve came from non-competitive states: Lieberman from Connecticut in 2000, Pence from Indiana in 2016 and 2020, and Harris from California in 2020. Only three of the past twelve came from “swing” states: Edwards from North Carolina in 2004, Ryan from Wisconsin in 2012, and Kaine from Virginia in 2016. Only Kaine delivered his state, and all three of these tickets lost the general election.

The election of Noem as vice president, or her acceptance of any other role in a new Republican administration in 2025, would also elevate Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden, making him the 34th Governor of South Dakota. He would be the third lieutenant governor to succeed to the Governor’s Office.

Such speculation is just that. But as the national press takes note of Governor Noem’s deft handling of her national prospects so far, one cannot help but at least consider the possibilities.