South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a staunch Republican who campaigned for President-elect Donald Trump, believes Vice President Kamala Harris’ focus on abortion as a central campaign issue ultimately backfired, contributing to her loss in the 2024 presidential election.
Noem argues that while Harris positioned herself as a champion for women’s rights, her emphasis on abortion rights failed to resonate with a broader swathe of female voters who are concerned about a range of issues beyond reproductive health.
“I think what was so interesting during this campaign is we consistently saw Kamala Harris and the Democrats try to put women in a box,” Noem told Fox News Digital. “They tried to define women as only caring about abortion and their health care. They didn’t really give them due credit for being the individuals out there that are raising families and caring about their children’s education and paying their bills and pursuing their careers.”
This analysis aligns with the election results that revealed a significant gender gap. While men favored Trump by 10 points, women supported Harris by 8 points, resulting in an 18-point difference. Notably, Harris’ performance with women fell short compared to President Biden’s 2020 victory, where he secured 12 points more from women than Trump.
Noem highlights that the Harris campaign’s strategy centered on abortion, a topic that became increasingly divisive after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, returning the issue to individual states. Trump, on the other hand, argued that the decision returned power to the states, a stance that resonated with voters in swing states.
Noem, who campaigned for Trump in key states like Pennsylvania, emphasizes that women are concerned about a diverse range of issues, particularly economic security and education. “We’ve got women running businesses that want their communities to be safe. They want to thrive. And they certainly don’t want a president that doesn’t protect women and the opportunities they have in front of them,” she stated.
Noem also criticized Harris’ campaign for what she deemed a condescending approach to women voters, specifically referencing a comment by Harris surrogate Mark Cuban who suggested Trump never surrounds himself with “strong, intelligent women.” Noem believes such comments were offensive to many women across the country.
Beyond abortion, Noem believes the Democrats’ stance on transgender issues also contributed to their loss. She asserts that the Democrats’ position on these issues has become increasingly extreme, allowing Republicans to effectively present themselves as proponents of common-sense approaches that resonate with most Americans.
The Trump campaign capitalized on this cultural divide, utilizing millions of dollars in advertising that targeted Democrats, particularly Harris, as too liberal on gender issues. One particularly effective ad, “Kamala is for they/them. Trump is for you,” concluded with a message that highlighted the perceived differences in the candidates’ stances on transgender issues.
Noem, known for her own vocal opposition to transgender rights, has taken a similar stance in South Dakota, signing legislation that bans puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and sex-change operations for minors. She has also been a vocal advocate for keeping biological men who identify as transgender out of women’s sports.
Noem believes that Harris’ approach would have created an “uncompetitive playing field” for women. She maintains that Trump’s focus on fairness and opportunity for women is what won over voters.
While declining to comment on any potential role in the new administration, Noem expressed her unwavering support for Trump, stating she would assist him in any way possible. However, she emphasized her dedication to her role as Governor of South Dakota, a position she holds dearly.
Overall, Noem’s analysis suggests that the Democrats’ reliance on abortion as a primary issue failed to capture the multifaceted concerns of women voters, allowing Trump’s message of economic security and traditional values to resonate more broadly.
