The chair of the South Dakota Republican Party is calling for unity following a tweet by President Donald Trump suggesting Senator John Thune’s political career is over.
In a blog post on the state GOP’s website, Dan Lederman says the party would not have the success it does without Thune, and the other leaders at the top of the ticket.
Lederman says Republicans have strong opinions that can conflict with one another in the marketplace of ideas. He calls the GOP a party of individuals, but that they always come together.
Republicans in the Senate so quickly forget. Right now they would be down 8 seats without my backing them in the last Election. RINO John Thune, “Mitch’s boy”, should just let it play out. South Dakota doesn’t like weakness. He will be primaried in 2022, political career over!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2020
.@johnthune is a friend of mine, and I will not be challenging him. I’m honored to be Governor of South Dakota and will ask the people to give me an opportunity to continue serving them as Governor in 2022.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) December 23, 2020
Trump tweeted the slight against the senate majority whip, after threatening to veto a bi-partisan coronavirus relief package.
The Trump tweet appears to be in response to Thune, who said any challenge to election results in the Senate would go down like a quote “shot dog.”
Moments after the Trump tweet, Governor Kristi Noem shot down any suggestion that she might primary Thune in 2022, saying she is instead running for re-election as governor.
-Contact SDPB reporter Lee Strubinger by email.
