Republican former South Dakota House Speaker challenging Noem

South Dakota state Rep. Steve Haugaard is launching a primary challenge to Gov. Kristi Noem (R).

Haugaard is the first challenger — Republican or Democrat — to launch a campaign against Noem, a rising star within the GOP who is seen as a potential contender for the party’s 2024 presidential nomination. 

Haugaard, a former state House Speaker, filed paperwork for his campaign with the South Dakota secretary of state’s office on Friday.

Noem formally announced last week that she would seek a second term in the governor’s mansion, boasting that she had raised some $10 million for her reelection bid.

Haugaard was first elected to the South Dakota state House in 2014 and is term-limited from seeking reelection to his seat.

He served as Speaker of the South Dakota state House in 2019 and 2020, butting heads with Noem on a handful of occasions. He’s widely viewed as among the most conservative lawmakers in the state legislature. 

The South Dakota Republican gubernatorial primary is set for June 7.