There have been reports that Kari Lake, the news anchor turned failed candidate for Arizona governor, and Georgia firebrand Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene would like nothing more than to be former President Donald Trump’s running mate should he be the GOP’s nominee next year.
As Rolling Stone magazine reported this week, Lake and Greene are in a “death race” to be Trump’s vice presidential pick. While both are ardent supporters of Trump, they’re far from allies of one another. In fact, Greene believes Lake to be a “grifter” who is “trying to keep riding Trump’s coattails because she lost.”
Lake is now reported to be considering a run for the U.S. Senate in Arizona but may be waiting to see how her status with Trump plays out first.
While both women have been mentioned as possible running mates for Trump, another name to make the shortlist is two-term South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who was expected to endorse the former president at a fundraiser on Friday. That has led to speculation that Trump may choose her as his VEEP.
A Rising GOP Star?
Noem has far more political experience than either Lake or Greene, previously serving as U.S. representative for South Dakota’s at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2019, before being elected the state’s first female governor in 2018. She received Trump’s endorsement in 2018, and as governor rose to national prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic over her refusal to issue a statewide mask mandate.
Noem has downplayed such vice presidential talk, and said during an appearance on “Fox and Friends” on Thursday, “We have not discussed it at all.”
Yet, when asked on Newsmax, she said she could consider a theoretical offer to run as Trump’s vice president.
“I would in a heartbeat,” said Noem. “Just because you respect the position and the person who asks you to do something, and then see if you really believe that you could make a difference.”
She went on to add, “Trump needs a strong partner if he’s going to take back the White House. And he’s going to need somebody who knows what it’s like to run a business, to be an employee, earn a paycheck. But also having a wife, mom, and grandma isn’t bad either.”
No White House Bid for Noem
Noem had previously dismissed her own White House run in 2024, but she maintains a public presence often appearing on cable news. She has also been openly critical of those running against Trump, who she has said stands the best chance of defeating President Joe Biden in 2024.
The South Dakota governor could be seen as a good choice as running mate for Trump, as she’s been loyal, but doesn’t bring the level of unnecessary “baggage” of either Greene or Lake.
As a result, their “death race” may be headed nowhere.
Author Experience and Expertise
A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
