PIERRE — Former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Friday that she will not rule out future political campaigns but does not intend to run for U.S. Senate in 2028, speaking to reporters after the unveiling of a bronze statue honoring her at the state Capitol.

Noem, a Republican, had been discussed as a potential Senate candidate this cycle, but she is not challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Mike Rounds. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, another South Dakota Republican, also faces a reelection decision in 2028. Politico reported earlier in the week that Thune expects to seek another term, though the outlet cited anonymous senators who suggested he could retire instead. South Dakota Republicans hold every statewide elected office and both U.S. Senate seats, meaning competitive races for open positions typically play out in the GOP primary rather than the general election.

Noem currently serves as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a role created by President Donald Trump earlier this year following her reassignment from the DHS secretary post. She described the position as involving cooperation with other nations to help secure their borders.

"I'm not planning to run for Senate in 2028," Noem said. "So, I'm planning to build a lot of fence, continue to help other countries build departments of homeland security and work with the State Department to help President Trump continue to be successful."

She also signaled confidence about her electoral prospects should she choose to return to the ballot.

"Oh, I wouldn't take it off the table," Noem said. "I may someday, but you know, we ran 13 races and won them all, so campaigns don't scare me, but I've got a lot of other things to do, too."

The remarks came after a South Dakota foundation unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Noem outdoors in the capital city — part of an ongoing project to commemorate every former governor with a statue. Roughly 100 people attended the ceremony. The statue stands at the entrance to the Hilger's Gulch nature area near the Capitol complex. Noem's official gubernatorial portrait was also unveiled for permanent display alongside those of other former governors inside the Capitol building.

During her remarks, Noem thanked her daughters, sons-in-law, four grandchildren, and her mother for attending. She noted that her son, who is serving as a missionary in the Middle East, could not be present. Noem also said her husband, Bryon, was unable to attend.

Noem praised her former lieutenant governor and successor, Gov. Larry Rhoden, and his wife, first lady Sandy Rhoden, both of whom were in attendance.

"They have been incredible people of integrity to lead South Dakota," she said. "I've been grateful for them and all that they have done."

The statue is the newest addition to Pierre's Trail of Governors, a project sustained by a foundation that relies on donations to commission, construct, and maintain the dozens of statues placed throughout the city. With Noem's installation, all former governors are now represented on the trail.

The sculpture depicts Noem leading her favorite horse, Iceman, by the reins. It cost $150,000 — notably more than earlier statues, which ran approximately $78,000, according to Leroy Foster of the foundation.

Donors listed on the Trail of Governors website included family members and political allies. The largest single contribution was at least $68,000 from the late Wyoming investment manager Foster Friess, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Wyoming governor in 2018.

The sculptor, John Lopez, is a Lemmon, South Dakota-based artist recognized for large-scale welded works featuring subjects such as bison, horses, and cowboys.

Political Career

Noem entered public office by winning a seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2006, serving from 2007 to 2010. That year, she competed in a crowded Republican primary for the U.S. House, secured the nomination, and went on to defeat incumbent Democrat Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. South Dakota has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 2008.

Endorsed by Trump, Noem was elected as South Dakota's first female governor in 2018 after defeating the state's attorney general in the Republican primary. During her first term, she drew national attention — and controversy — for her largely hands-off approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the state open even as most others imposed restrictions.

She won a second term as governor in 2022. In 2024, she faced renewed national scrutiny with the release of her book, "No Going Back," in which she recounted fatally shooting a misbehaving hunting dog and an unruly goat.

Noem resigned in early 2025 to become secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a post encompassing immigration enforcement, border security, disaster response, cybersecurity, airline security, and the protection of dignitaries. The role placed her at the center of Trump's signature domestic priority of tightened border enforcement.

Protests against intensified enforcement activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — a component of DHS — swept across the country during her tenure. In January, ICE agents shot and killed two American citizens during enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

Following those shootings, Noem faced congressional hearings in which lawmakers criticized her management of ICE and other departmental actions. During the proceedings, a Democratic lawmaker raised questions about multiple media reports regarding a romantic relationship between Noem and her adviser, Corey Lewandowski, who was not present at Friday's ceremony.

In March, Trump reassigned Noem from her DHS secretary role to her newly created position as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas.