SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem initially appeared eager to deliver a win to social conservatives on a top, culture war issue.
Just minutes after the GOP-led state legislature passed a bill banning transgender women and girls participating in women's sports leagues, the Republican governor fired off a tweet declaring herself “excited to sign” the bill.
Noem's enthusiasm faded surprisingly fast. Within days, the governor, who is widely viewed as eyeing a run for higher office, found herself caught in a political mess, facing tough lobbying from business interests, legal threats and talk of betrayal from social conservatives who had been reassured she was on their side.