Noem, who was comfortably re-elected to the House last week, released a video Monday in which she said she was looking forward to the next two years in which Republicans will have the presidency and control of Congress, control that could help them enact tax reform, replace Obamacare, enact a new Farm Bill and reduce the size of government. But at the same time, Noem said she was making good on a vow not to make Congress a career and would instead return home to run for governor.
“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."
Although she didn’t say it, Noem’s decision to run for governor was forced by a ballot issue that voters approved last week. Initiated Measure 22, which becomes law on Wednesday, contains a provision barring candidates for governor from collecting more than $4,000 a year from any person or political committee.
Once effective, the language would mean that Noem couldn’t transfer more than $4,000 from her congressional campaign account to an account for a governor’s run. Under current law, federal office holders can transfer all of their money into a state account.
For Noem, that would mean forfeiting a huge advantage: Prior to Tuesday’s election, her congressional campaign was reporting nearly $1.9 million in the bank, an amount that would make her a formidable candidate in the Republican primary.
