Corey Lewandowski, former campaign manager for President Donald Trump, is reportedly plotting a return to the political sphere, aiming to regain favor with Trump and potentially challenging Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota in a future primary. Lewandowski, who held a special government employee position that ended in March, has been vocal about his desire to support Trump's agenda and has pointedly criticized politicians who have not.
Lewandowski suggested in a June interview with conservative podcaster John Fredericks that a "proven history of winning an election in South Dakota" could pose a challenge to Senator Thune, who is up for re-election in two years. Sources familiar with the situation have indicated that this description aligns with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who was first elected governor in 2018 and previously served four terms in the House of Representatives. Lewandowski himself commented that "No politician is immune to the will of the voters" and encouraged senators to support Trump's proposed SAVE America Act, a voting rights bill that Thune has stated lacks sufficient support in the Senate.
Multiple Republican strategists view Lewandowski's efforts as tied to maintaining his relationship with Trump and the success of his firm, Lewandowski Strategic Advisors. He has been a loyalist to Trump since managing his 2016 New Hampshire primary victory. However, Lewandowski's tenure has not been without controversy. He was reportedly dismissed from his government role around the same time as Noem's departure from the Department of Homeland Security, following controversies during her tenure and her response to questions about an alleged affair with Lewandowski.
Further complicating Lewandowski's position, the Wall Street Journal reported last month that the Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog found potential evidence of improper federal contract awards involving Lewandowski, with a referral to the Justice Department being considered. Lewandowski has denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Senator Thune, a 65-year-old Republican, is considered a formidable figure. He has served in the House for six years and in the Senate since 2004. While Thune has indicated he expects to seek re-election, his decision may be influenced by the outcomes of the upcoming November midterm elections. Polling suggests that Trump holds a significantly higher approval rating in South Dakota than Thune, with a May poll showing Trump at 53% approval and Thune at 28%.
The report also touches on Governor Noem's political standing, noting that her brand may have been impacted by her dismissal from DHS, revelations about her husband's personal interests, and the controversial story of her shooting a dog, detailed in her 2024 memoir. Noem has also remained notably distant from recent state Republican gubernatorial primary campaigns. Some Republican strategists have described Noem, currently serving as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, as "toxic."