South Dakota's top Republicans not supporting a Trump return to the White House

Thune, Rounds endorsing South Carolina's Scott while Johnson not making pick

Former President Donald Trump had near-historic levels of support from South Dakota voters in 2016 and again in his failed 2020 re-election bid. But don’t look to the Mount Rushmore State’s congressional delegation to help the Republican reclaim the presidency.

U.S. Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds as well as Congressman Dusty Johnson will not be endorsing the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential election.

Johnson’s staff told The Dakota Scout last week that the U.S. Representative will not be making any presidential endorsements, while both Thune and Rounds are putting their support behind their colleague, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

“Our nation needs and deserves a leader who can unite our country,” Rounds said in a statement to The Dakota Scout. “I am confident that Sen. Tim Scott is that leader.” 

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