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Editor's note: This is the first in a series of profiles of presidential candidate Donald Trump's potential running mates on the 2024 Republican Party ticket.
A horse race is underway for those hoping to stand alongside former President Donald Trump as his running mate on stage at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this summer.
Trump appears in no rush to select his potential future vice president as he remains deadlocked in a trial in a New York City court, but those widely considered to be on his short list continue to clamor for him.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, one of many names who traveled to Florida last weekend for a series of fundraisers with Trump that some described as “auditions” for the role, has long been considered She has long been a short-list favorite, but recent negative headlines could be complicating her chances.
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From left to right: House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and South Carolina Governor Tim Scott. All have been proposed as possible running mates for former President Donald Trump's vice presidency. (Getty Images)
“The first rule of a vice presidential pick is to do no harm, and Noem's recent self-inflicted controversies have shown that her potential selection likely wouldn't provide support for Trump's candidacy without drama,” Axiom Strategies' Erin Perrine told Fox News Digital. , referencing a week of criticism directed at Noem, who confessed in an excerpt from a recently published book to shooting her dog for attacking a neighbor's chickens.
Noem spent the week aggressively pushing back against her critics over the story, arguing that the dog had been “ruthless,” as well as “dangerous” and a potential threat to her family.
“I had to choose between the safety of my children and an animal that was killing livestock and attacking people,” Noem told Fox Business host Stuart Varney in a controversial interview Tuesday. “So it's included because many politicians have run from the truth. They want to try to hide from difficult decisions.”
Perrine, who served as Trump's press communications director for his 2020 reelection campaign, said Noem had handled the book controversy “incredibly poorly,” adding that her apparently false claim, also in the book, that a time he had met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would hinder his consideration.
“It's easy to see how her selection could cause heartburn and doubt. These controversies will continue to be part of the conversation around her for some time. While Noem brings strengths to the table, these controversies would overshadow her candidacy and make her a most controversial person. election for the position of vice president,” Perrine said.
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South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speaks before former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump takes the stage during a Buckeye Values PAC rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on March 16, 2024. (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Democratic strategist Kevin Walling echoed Perrine's concerns about Noem's book, calling it a “total disaster” and also noted the principle of “do no harm” when it comes to political memoirs.
“His recent appearance in the national spotlight has likely ruined his chances of joining the ticket. Above all, Trump values an individual's performance in television appearances and his inability to answer simple questions about his own biography has been a shame,” Walling said.
“Coming from reliably red South Dakota provides some geographic balance to the ticket, but would generate no real help in the Electoral College in November,” he added.
Others raise the possibility of Noem being Trump's running mate a little more clearly, including pollster and political analyst Scott Rasmussen, who told Fox that she “could have been an interesting choice before the release of her book.” At this point, she is no longer a serious contender.” “.
A top Republican strategist and former Trump administration official told Fox that Noem “was never a top contender for who cares most” and, according to another former Trump official, “we all make mistakes at some point in our lives. Noem just makes them.” committed.” yours at the most inopportune moment.”
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Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listens as North Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speaks during a Buckeye Values PAC rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on March 16, 2024. (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Noem, while recovering from a few bad days that even Trump admitted had been “difficult,” has a number of strengths and qualifications that experts say could serve as a potential boost to the former president's chances in the White House.
“Noem is a two-term governor with both executive and legislative experience, and has also served four terms in Congress representing South Dakota. As a woman and member of Generation X, she would provide generational and gender balance to the ticket, especially “We see more and more voters in their 50s and 60s trending toward the Republican brand,” Perrine said.
Falling to the right of Trump on issues like abortion, Perrine argued, could play a similar role for the campaign as former Vice President Mike Pence's conservative credentials did in 2016 when it came to engaging with the far-right of the Trump voter base. Republican Party.
In addition to her time in various elected offices and her appeals to the Republican base, Walling said Noem, 53, represents “a younger, fresher face for the party.”
“Her diverse background as a business owner, farmer, rancher, and former congressional intern for college credit when she returned to finish her studies as a member of Congress adds depth to her candidacy. In particular, her candidacy could deflect Democratic attacks on the stance of the Republican Party on women's issues,” he added.
Noem is expected to attend another fundraiser alongside Trump in New York City on Tuesday, a family source confirmed to Fox News Digital.
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From left to right: Ohio Senator JD Vance, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. (Getty Images)
Other big names have also been proposed to join Trump on the Republican ticket, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Republican conference chairwoman the House of Representatives, Eliste Stefanik, and the governor of North Dakota, Doug. Burgum, Ohio Senator JD Vance and Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
It's unclear when exactly Trump might announce his pick for vice president, but he recently hinted that it could be shortly before the RNC convention in July.
Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives for Noem for comment.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 election campaign, exclusive interviews and more in our Fox News Digital Election Center.
