Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem says she won’t seek a fifth term in Congress because she’s running instead to become the first female governor in South Dakota history.
Noem said in a video Monday she’s keeping a promise not to make Congress a career, and instead will return home to run for governor. In the meantime, she says she’s looking forward to helping enact tax reform, replace Obamacare, enact a new farm bill and reduce government.
Although she didn’t say it, a Sioux Falls newspaper says Noem’s announcement was forced by a campaign finance ballot issue approved last week.
Once effective, the measure will prevent Noem from transferring her substantial leftover congressional campaign cash to an account for a governor’s run, which would mean forfeiting a huge advantage.
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