Noem wins reelection in South Dakota amid 2024 buzz

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has defeated a Democratic state lawmaker to win reelection.

Noem leaned heavily on her handling of the coronavirus pandemic in a first term marked by positioning for a possible White House bid in 2024.

The Republican governor eased past state Rep. Jamie Smith after raising more than $15 million via a nationwide fundraising network.

Noem has said she would serve a full four-year term if reelected, but she generated speculation about higher political ambitions by becoming a fixture in conservative media and making appearances in key 2024 states.

Her fundraising haul was a historic amount of money for a South Dakota gubernatorial candidate.

Republican Dusty Johnson wins 3rd House term in South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson has won reelection to his third term representing South Dakota’s only U.S. House district. He won easily in a race in which Democrats didn’t field a candidate.

The 46-year-old Republican’s only competition, Libertarian Collin Duprel, didn’t report raising or spending any money in the campaign.

South Dakota's Thune wins reelection to 4th U.S. Senate term

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota has won reelection to a fourth term. He will return to the Senate and is expected to make a bid to become the next GOP leader.

Thune cruised to victory in South Dakota with a large fundraising advantage over Democrat Brian Bengs. He is the second-ranking Senate Republican, and he is seen as a potential pick to someday succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell.