In a dramatic turn of events, Donald Trump reclaimed the White House in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, marking a historic victory for the Republican Party.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first female Democrat to lead a presidential campaign, struggled to galvanize voter support among women, focusing heavily on abortion rights and other controversial gender issues, and South Dakota's governor is weighing in on some of the reasons she thinks that happened, as Fox News reports.

Harris' Campaign Focus in Heated Battle

Harris emerged as the Democratic frontrunner in July 2024, after President Joe Biden withdrew from seeking re-election due to a weak performance in a debate against Trump. As the Democratic Party candidate, Harris aimed to make history as the country's first female president. However, her strategy centered on reproductive rights did not gain the anticipated traction among voters in pivotal swing states.

Analysis of voter trends indicates Harris did not perform as well with women compared to Biden's previous campaign. While Biden managed to secure the female vote by a margin of 12 points in 2020, Harris could only muster an 8-point lead among the same group.

The election also saw Trump increase his backing among men by 5 points since 2020, resulting in a victory that included gaining the national popular vote -- an achievement no Republican had accomplished in two decades.

Noem's Perspective on Election Outcomes

The campaign dynamics shifted as Trump's team expanded their reach, drawing more support from Black, Hispanic, and young voters, demographics that traditionally lean Democratic. Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota, played a notable role in Trump's campaign by actively challenging Harris' approach to women's issues.

Noem criticized Harris for narrowing her campaign to gender issues and for what she described as minimizing the broader concerns of women. She expressed, "I think what was so interesting during this campaign is we consistently saw Kamala Harris and the Democrats try to put women in a box."

The governor highlighted broader interests among women, such as business opportunities and community safety, saying this was a massive oversight in the Democratic Party agenda that made it simpler for Republicans to engage with voters.

Impact of Trump's Campaign Strategies

The Trump campaign invested millions in advertising that emphasized perceived liberal extremism by the Democrats on gender-related issues. For instance, a widely discussed ad claimed that "Kamala is for they/them," contrasting it with Trump's positioning, which resonated with voters enough to shift the race by 2.7 percentage points in Trump’s direction.

The election result highlighted a slight increase in the gender voting gap -- from 17 points in 2020 to 18 points in 2024 -- demonstrating persistent gender-based voting patterns.

Noem further argued that Democratic policies, particularly those associated with Harris' campaign, seemed to alienate voters by aligning with what she termed an extreme stance on issues like abortion and transgender rights.

Republicans Address Broader Social Concerns

The governor, a strong supporter of policies that restrict transgender participation in sports and ban certain medical procedures for minors, connected these measures to the Republican stance on preserving "common sense" solutions for the public.

Noem’s legislative actions in South Dakota, such as banning puberty blockers and cross-sex surgeries for minors, underscored her focus on safeguarding traditional gender roles, as she strongly advocated for protecting women’s rights in athletics.

"President Trump is not going to let mediocre men take away opportunities for our outstanding women," Noem asserted, emphasizing her dedication to Trump's administration's ethos.

Responses to Campaign Dynamics

While Harris' campaign aimed at bolstering women's rights, some of her campaign surrogates, such as Mark Cuban, faced criticism for potentially offensive remarks about women's roles, which Noem argued reflected poorly on Harris’ campaign.

In her assessment, Noem believed that such remarks, coupled with the Democratic Party's focus on gender-specific policies, did not fare well with the broader electorate.

Meanwhile, Trump's transition team has started establishing connections with world leaders and planning the incoming administration's strategies, signaling an active approach following the campaign triumph.

Closing Thoughts on Election Results

Noem reiterated her commitment to the Republican cause, highlighting her own post-election discussions with Trump. "He knows I’ll help him any way that I can," she said, reinforcing her alignment with the newly elected administration's goals.

As the nation prepares for a transition of leadership, observers continue to analyze the implications of this election cycle, particularly the role gender issues played in shaping political narratives and voter decisions.

The 2024 election paints a complex picture of shifting political alliances and the enduring influence of cultural debates on America's electoral landscape.