South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said choosing Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley as vice president would be a mistake for former President Donald Trump.
The Republican governor told Newsmax Tuesday that if Mr. Trump chose the former South Carolina governor, she would tell him she disagrees.
“But then I would support the ticket because he’s still the president and the president still makes decisions,” Ms. Noem said.
On Monday, former Trump aide Steve Bannon spoke out against Ms. Haley as VP, calling her a viper who would cause “a big fight” among the MAGA base.
Ms. Noem also has been floated as second-in-command for Mr. Trump and has said she would accept the position. Some say the former president would choose a female running mate to boost his chances with a voter demographic that Republicans struggle with — women.
The governor said she and Ms. Haley have had “a lot of disagreements” over the years.
“I just don’t know which Nikki Haley is gonna show up every day. She’s a different person, depending on whatever works for her political agenda,” Ms. Noem said of Ms. Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the U.N.
She went on to call Mr. Trump “a normal human being who tells the truth and gets up every day fighting for people. He has no reason to do this job other than that he does truly believe in America.”
Mr. Trump remains the front-runner for the Republican nomination. He hasn’t indicated whom he’s leaning toward for vice president.
Ms. Noem and Mr. Trump will speak at his campaign rally in Iowa Wednesday.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.