PIERRE, S.D. PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem's non-interventionist approach has raised her profile nationally and increased her popularity within the state.
She is also well-known as an ally of President Donald Trump, hosting a 2020 Fourth of July fireworks show at Mount Rushmore together with him, and was even given his endorsement to run for Governor earlier in the year.
However, Noem's past history makes it clear that Steve Haugaard, a former Speaker of the state House, sees a chance to win the race.
Noem narrowly beat Republican Marty Jackley in the 2018 primary for governor. She also won 51% of the vote in the general election to Democrat Bille Sutton's 48 percent.
Haugaard states that the governor has been in place for almost four years now and problems still aren't being resolved. We see some bandaids. "We see some knee-jerk reactions but not comprehensive solutions to problems.
Haugaard was not engaged by the Noem campaign during the primary. They haven't been in conflict.
Jon Schaff, a political science professor at Northern State University Aberdeen, says that "we've got an incumbent Governor who is extremely popular within the party."
"But, also, the way that she governs and how she conducts herself have created a section of that party who is frustrated with her. Steve Haugaard is that voice.
Candidates for state office across the state are aEUR" from Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson to U.S. Senator John Thune, and Gov. Kristi Noem and aEUR" are scoring well ahead of their opponents.
Thune is widely believed to be contemplating retirement. He's considered the next in line to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate President. He announced his bid for reelection in January, dispelling rumors.
"I am a right-of center conservative. I believe the country is there. Thune states that although they don't vote in the same way every time, I believe the country still seeks right-of-center conservative solutions for problems."
Thune stated that Trump was trying to reverse the results of the 2020 election.
Trump attacked Thune via Twitter: "RINO John Thune. 'Mitch’s boy'. Let it all play out. South Dakota doesn't like weakness. His political career is over!
Thune is well-established in South Dakota. Although it would be an exaggeration to say that his political career is over for him, recent polls show conflicting reports about his popularity with voters.
According to a Morning Consult poll, Thune is America's most beloved U.S. senator. But, South Dakota State University polls show that Thune is favorable among likely Republican primary voters at 46%.
Both of his challengers polled below 10%, with 41% still undecided. This could indicate his venerability, as he seeks to win a fourth term. It hasn't happened since Karl Mundt in 1966. Thune reelected Tom Daschle, the Democratic majority leader of the time, in 2004.
This year, there are no statewide Democratic primaries.
The state's primary voters are being asked to vote on a ballot question being proposed by Republican legislators to make it more difficult to pass Medicaid expansion in the fall.
Voters will decide if they want to set a 60% threshold on ballot questions about spending $10 million within the first five year, or raise taxes. Jon Hansen, a Republican state representative, proposed the idea.
He said that the threshold is similar to what lawmakers use when raising taxes or spending money.
"It's a measure which requires just a little bit more agreement among the voter. Hanson states that it gives the taxpayers a greater control over raising taxes and large government spending.
The original plan was to have the question in the 2022 general elections. However, Republican state senator Lee Schoenbeck moved the question up to the primary election.
Schoenbeck stated that he placed it there as a result of my desire for it to be in effect aEUR" if it is approved by the voters aEUR' for the general election. Schoenbeck spoke during a Watertown candidate debate.
"I don’t support more welfare. I would like to see a higher threshold so that we can vote in November. It's why it is on the primary ballot. There is no other reason.
Critics call the move an "underhanded trick" of the Republican-dominated state legislature.
Medicaid expansion would increase healthcare access for approximately 42,500 South Dakotans. In the first five years, it would cost $33 million per year.
