Photo: Alamy
Gov. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., cruised to victory, defeating her Republican opponent in South Dakota’s gubernatorial primary Tuesday night.
The Associated Press called the race for Noem last night after the incumbent soared through the polls ahead of former South Dakota Speaker of the House Steve Haugaard. As of Wednesday morning, Noem has received 76.4 percent of the vote, with 99 percent of ballots counted.
Tuesday night also handed President Donald Trump another win after giving his “complete and total endorsement” to Noem in February, per Fox News.
“Kristi Noem has done a great job as Governor of South Dakota,” Trump said, listing Noem’s leadership accomplishments. “She is strong on Borders, the Second Amendment, preserving land and Energy Dominance, Medical Freedom, and kept South Dakota open during COVID. She fully supports our great Law Enforcement, Military, our wonderful Vets—and is a fighter for the incredible people of South Dakota. Kristi has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
According to The Epoch Times, Noem secured nearly $15 million in campaign donations with roughly $9 million in cash on hand, outraising Haugaard, who reported raising over $105,000 with $24,000 in cash on hand.
The Mount Rushmore State governor has become popular nationwide due to her unwavering conservative views on pandemic lockdowns, transgender policies in schools, the economy, and many other issues.
Recently, Noem pledged to continue fighting for fairness in girls’ sports by threatening legal action against the Biden administration for potentially withholding aid for school lunches to states that do not adopt the government’s Title X interpretation of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Noem will go head to head with Democrat challenger state Rep. Jamie Smith in November.
