Kristi Noem lays groundwork for win with visit to D.C.

Posted: Thursday, July 29th Filed in: News

LEDYARD KING • Argus Leader Washington Bureau • July 29, 2010

WASHINGTON – Kristi Noem hasn’t had much down time this week.

Since arriving in the nation’s capital Sunday, South Dakota’s Republican nominee for the House has been busy meeting with GOP leaders, filling out questionnaires for political action committees and raising money. She’s visited with bloggers, done some media training and interviewed with political handicappers who can influence where national donors, consultants and political parties put their money and attention.

Pretty much what she expected.

“There really wasn’t anything that I learned that I hadn’t realized before,” the state representative from Castlewood said during an interview Wednesday at the Republican Capitol Hill Club. “It was good to get out here and get some perspective of the attitude and the environment in D.C., but we’re pretty focused on South Dakota voters and the environment back there.”

Noem’s schedule has grown more crowded now that she is in a competitive race to oust Democratic incumbent Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. Recent polls have shown Noem leading in the race.

To regain control of the House, Republicans need to win 39 seats now held by Democrats. That’s why Noem is in Washington this week. Tapped as one of about 40 “young guns” by GOP House leaders, Noem, 38, was meeting with party officials and potential donors to prepare for what could be a bruising and expensive fight for the state’s lone House seat.

Political handicapper Stu Rothenberg said he came away from an interview with Noem on Wednesday impressed with her poise and acumen.

“My expectations were pretty high, and she met every one of them,” said the editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, which rates the race a toss-up.

He’s also impressed with Herseth Sandlin, but thinks the race ultimately is out of her control because it’s more about Democratic control of both the White House and Congress than it is about individual members.

“If this was 2008 or 2006, I don’t care how many times Kristi Noem
ran, she wouldn’t beat Stephanie,” he said. “But this is a very good environment for the Republican challenger.”

Herseth Sandlin remains far ahead in perhaps the most important category: cash on hand. The Democrat reported starting July with $706,822 in the bank – more than twice the $291,677 that Noem had, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also has reserved $500,000 in television air time in South Dakota, money that could be spent on ads in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 2 election.

But Noem said she’s been raising money this month and thinks she’ll be able to amass the $1 million more she wants by the election.