Trump/Noem 2024? South Dakota governor says she's open to VP nod

South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem on Thursday affirmed that she is "absolutely" open to serving as former President Donald Trump's running mate in 2024.

"President Trump needs a strong partner if he's going to take back the White House, he's going to need somebody who knows what it's like to run a business, to be an employee, earn a paycheck, but also having a wife, mom, and a grandma isn't bad, either," she said during an appearance on Newsmax. "And I think that that kind of perspective would weigh in very well on a lot of policy decisions."

Asked whether she would consider the vice presidential slot herself, Noem emphatically replied "absolutely."

"I would in a heartbeat. Just because, you know, you respect the position and the person who asks you to do something and then see if you really believe that you could make a difference," she said. "I think anybody that is asked to step up during these challenging times should consider it. Everybody needs to look at what they can do to play a role in leading a life of significance. That's really going to make a huge difference for our kids and our grandkids."

Noem has not formally endorsed Trump as of press time, but is expected to do so at a Friday event in Rapid City, the Associated Press reported.

The former president has yet to win the Republican primary, though his status as the runaway front runner already has people speculating as to his running mate. Noem has repeatedly featured in such speculation, as has tech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy, a Trump primary rival for whom the ex-commander-in-chief has largely offered supportive words.

"He's got good energy, and he could be in some form of something. I tell ya, I think he'd be very good. I think he's really distinguished himself," Trump said of Ramaswamy in late August.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.