South Dakota rep. launches gubernatorial bid

Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) announced Monday she will retire from Congress in 2018 in order to mount a run to become South Dakota’s first female governor, according to the Argus Leader.

{mosads}Noem, who has served in the House since 2011, was reelected to serve the state’s lone congressional district last week. But in video released on Monday, she explained that while she’s eager to work with a Republican president and GOP-led Congress, she wants to head back to her home state and serve there.

Noem endorsed Donald Trump for president early in the year and though she denounced his lewd comments about women that came to light in October, she continued to back him, according to the Argus Leader.

“I plan to work hard to push conservative solutions and to make a difference, not make a career out of Congress,” Noem said in the video. “So once I serve out this term, I will be returning home and I will not seek reelection to the House of Representatives in 2018.”

She noted her political tenure as a state legislator and congresswoman, as well as her experience as a small-business owner, rancher and farmer, arguing this gives her the dual knowledge to serve as head of the state.

Noem said her campaign for governor won’t start in earnest until next year.

“We just got through one campaign season, and we all need a break from politics,” Noem said. “So while my campaign won’t kick off officially until next year, I want you to know that I am all in.”

South Dakota’s at-large House seat is safe Republican territory, but it will be an open seat the party will need to defend in the midterms.