Colorado Republicans cancel Kristi Noem fundraiser after threats

Jefferson County Republican Party Chair Nancy Pallozzi claimed the group, Noem and her staff, and hotel where the dinner was expected to take place on Saturday, had received "numerous threats" including death threats.

By Misty Severi

Published: May 3, 2024 11:00pm

A group of Colorado Republicans on Friday canceled a fundraiser with South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem that was scheduled for this weekend, due to safety concerns that stem from backlash over the governor's upcoming memoir.

Noem, who is a potential vice presidential candidate, has been under a lot of scrutiny recently after a report on her upcoming book described how she killed her 14-month old dog that she deemed was "untrainable" roughly 20 years ago, according to an excerpt from the Guardian. Noem has since defended her decision to kill the dog, claiming it was "extremely dangerous."

Jefferson County Republican Party Chair Nancy Pallozzi said her group, Noem and her staff, and hotel where the dinner was expected to take place on Saturday, had received "numerous threats" including death threats.

"After a conversation with the Governor’s office late Wednesday, we mutually decided that safety was the most important concern for everyone involved," Pallozzi told NBC News. "The Denver West Marriott also received alarming comments and shared with us their deep concern over the safety and security for those attending our event, other guests, and their staff."

Pallozzi said the cancellation was not a statement on the upcoming book, or the controversies that surround it, and said the decision was not made lightly. The group will be issuing "full refunds" on all the tickets, and still has 300 copies of Noem's book that was supposed to be given out at the fundraiser.

"We have lost money in this," Pallozzi said. "This was meant to be a fundraiser, but now we've lost thousands of dollars."

The chairwoman also praised the governor as someone who continues to stand up for the Constitution, and the platform of the Republican Party. Noem was confirmed as a keynote speaker for the event in April.

Pallozzi said the group is still in talks with Noem's office, but it is not clear if or when the event will be rescheduled. The book, titled "No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How we Move America Forward" will be released next week.