Kamala Harris underperformed Biden’s numbers with women. South Dakota’s governor thinks she knows why.

As Vice President Kamala Harris sought to become the first female president, she focused her campaign on championing women’s rights, particularly abortion rights. However, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem believes that Harris missed the mark by failing to connect with voters on a broader range of issues.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Governor Noem expressed her view that Harris and the Democrats tried to pigeonhole women by only focusing on abortion and healthcare issues. She felt that they did not give women credit for their diverse concerns, such as raising families, education, financial stability, and career advancement.

Surprisingly, Harris underperformed with women compared to President Biden’s support in the previous election. The 2024 election results showed that men overwhelmingly supported President Trump, while women leaned towards Vice President Harris. This gender gap widened compared to the 2020 election, with Trump gaining more support among men and Harris falling short among women.

Governor Noem criticized Harris’s campaign strategy, which heavily emphasized reproductive rights, as ineffective against Trump’s broader appeal. She argued that abortion is not the sole priority for American women, who also care about safety, economic opportunities, and other critical issues. Noem campaigned for Trump in swing states, highlighting his policies and engaging with voters directly.

The governor also took issue with Harris’s team for allegedly demeaning women in the final weeks of the campaign. She referenced comments made by Harris’s surrogates, including Mark Cuban, who suggested that Trump did not surround himself with intelligent women. Noem found such remarks offensive and believed they underestimated women’s intelligence and strength.

In contrast to the Democrats’ stance on abortion and transgender issues, Governor Noem emphasized the importance of common-sense policies that resonate with most Americans. She highlighted the extreme positions taken by Harris and the Democratic Party, which, in her view, made it easier for Republicans to present reasonable alternatives that prioritize opportunities for all individuals.

Throughout the election, Trump and his affiliated political action committees intensified the culture wars by running ads that portrayed Democrats and Harris as too liberal on gender issues. Noem also engaged in the culture wars by signing legislation in South Dakota that restricted certain gender-related medical procedures for minors and advocated for fair competition in women’s sports.

Despite her strong support for Trump and their shared views on gender issues, Governor Noem stated that she had not discussed joining the new administration. She expressed her commitment to serving as the governor of South Dakota and continuing to advocate for common-sense policies that benefit all Americans. If called upon by President Trump, she would consider taking on a role in his administration.

In conclusion, Governor Kristi Noem’s perspective on the 2024 election sheds light on the complexities of gender politics and the importance of addressing a diverse range of issues that matter to women. By challenging the Democrats’ narrow focus on abortion rights and advocating for common-sense policies, she offers a unique perspective on how Republicans can appeal to a broader base of voters.