Noem ‘not planning to run’ but doesn’t rule out a political future as her statue is unveiled

Listen to an audio version of this story produced by reporter Meghan O’Brien. Broadcasters: See the bottom of the story for a downloadable version with a host intro script.

PIERRE — Former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Friday after the unveiling of a statue in her honor that she won’t rule out any future campaigns but is not planning to run for U.S. Senate in two years.

Noem, a Republican, was rumored as a possible Senate candidate this year but is not challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Mike Rounds. Another South Dakota Republican U.S. senator, Majority Leader John Thune, will face a decision about running for reelection in 2028. Politico reported earlier this week that Thune anticipates running, but the outlet anonymously quoted other senators who said he might retire.

Noem is serving as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a position that President Donald Trump created earlier this year. She said the job includes working with other countries to secure their borders.

Former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, along with her daughters, grandchildren and artist John Lopez, helps unveil a statue of herself and her horse, named Iceman, on Aug. 7, 2026, in Pierre. The capital city has a Trail of Governors with statues of all the state’s former chief executives. (Video by Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight)

“I’m not planning to run for Senate in 2028,” Noem said. “So, I’m planning to build a lot of fence, continue to help other countries build departments of homeland security and work with the State Department to help President Trump continue to be successful.”

She also expressed confidence in her ability to win if she decides to seek an elected office in the future.

“Oh, I wouldn’t take it off the table,” Noem said. “I may someday, but you know, we ran 13 races and won them all, so campaigns don’t scare me, but I’ve got a lot of other things to do, too.”

Noem’s comments to a gaggle of reporters came after a South Dakota foundation unveiled a bronze statue of her outdoors in the state’s capital city — part of a project to honor all the state’s ex-governors with statues — in front of a crowd of about 100 people. Noem’s official portrait was also unveiled for display with other ex-governor portraits in the state Capitol.

Listen to audio of former Gov. Kristi Noem’s full speech at her statue unveiling, with an introduction by Gov. Larry Rhoden.

During her speech, Noem extended thanks to her daughters, sons-in-law, four grandchildren and mother for attending. Her son is serving as a missionary in the Middle East, Noem said, and was unable to attend. Noem said her husband, Bryon, also could not attend.

Noem praised the work of her former lieutenant governor and successor, Gov. Larry Rhoden, along with his wife, first lady Sandy Rhoden, who both attended.

“They have been incredible people of integrity to lead South Dakota,” she said. “I’ve been grateful for them and all that they have done.”

Noem’s statue was added to Pierre’s Trail of Governors. It’s supported by a foundation that uses donations to commission, build and maintain the dozens of statues throughout the city. All former governors are now represented on the trail.

Noem’s statue depicts her leading her favorite horse, named Iceman, by the reins. It cost $150,000, which was more than past statues that cost $78,000, according to Leroy Foster of the foundation.

Donors for Noem’s statue included family members and political allies, according to the Trail of Governors website. The biggest donation was for at least $68,000, from the late Wyoming investment manager Foster Friess, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Wyoming governor in 2018.

The sculptor, John Lopez, is an artist from Lemmon, South Dakota, known for his large, welded creations of figures including bison, horses and cowboys.

Noem’s path through politics

Noem entered politics by winning a seat in the state House of Representatives in 2006, where she served from 2007 until 2010. That year, she entered a competitive field to secure the Republican nomination for U.S. House, winning the primary election and later ousting incumbent Democrat Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

Noem was elected as the first female governor of South Dakota in 2018, with an endorsement from Trump, defeating the state’s attorney general in a Republican primary. She sparked national controversy during her first term in office with her hands-off approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Homeland Security nomination is latest leap in a life of risks for Kristi Noem

Noem won a second term as governor in 2022, and then became the subject of negative headlines and scrutiny nationwide in 2024 with the release of her book, “No Going Back,” in which she recounted fatally shooting a misbehaving hunting dog and an unruly goat.

She resigned in 2025 to become secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, responsible for immigration enforcement, border security, disaster response, cyber and airline security, and protecting dignitaries.

Protests against increased enforcement activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is part of the department, spread across the nation during Noem’s tenure. In January, ICE agents shot and killed two American citizens during enforcement actions in Minneapolis.

Following the shootings, Noem faced congressional hearings where she was criticized for her handling of ICE and numerous other actions, even including questions from a Democratic lawmaker about multiple media reports that she has a romantic relationship with her adviser, Corey Lewandowski, who was not in attendance Friday.

Trump reassigned Noem to her newly created position in March.