SD-GOV: Republican AG still not endorsing a candidate for Governor
The Republican runner-up to Kristi Noem in June’s primary election for governor, Marty Jackley, said he has not yet committed his support to any candidate for governor in the general election.
When asked whether he will vote for Noem, Jackley said, “I haven’t voted yet, and at this point I really haven’t made any final decisions.”
Speaking by phone Friday morning, Jackley, who is finishing his final term as South Dakota’s attorney general, left open the possibility that he will announce an endorsement in the governor’s race.
“I’ve certainly been talking to our team and listening to our supporters on what to do, and I intend to keep doing that and may make a decision between now and the election,” Jackley said, “and I may simply just continue to take the position that it’s really the voters of South Dakota that will be and should be picking their next governor.”
Noem, during a recent meeting with the Rapid City Journal editorial board, recalled complimentary statements Jackley made about her on the night of the primary election and at the state Republican convention. The lack of a formal endorsement from Jackley does not concern her, she said.
There are fewer than three weeks remaining before the Nov. 6 general election. Early voting is in progress, and Noem is locked in a reportedly close race with Democratic nominee Billie Sutton. Libertarian candidate Kurt Evans is also on the ballot.
BILLIE SUTTON
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