- North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum appeared with his wife Kathryn to support Donald Trump at a rally on Sunday
- More than a month after withdrawing from the 2024 Republican primary, Burgum became the first former candidate to endorse the ex-president
- Comes the day before the caucuses at Trump’s last rally before the primaries
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum endorsed Donald Trump as he appeared alongside the ex-president at a rally in Indianola, Iowa, on Sunday.
Just as he took the stage with his wife Kathryn, another outburst occurred after several protesters were able to reach the rally site the day before the Iowa caucuses.
“Four years ago, I spoke on behalf of President Trump at the Iowa caucuses in Sioux City. And today I’m here to do something that none of the other presidential candidates have done – and that is to support Donald J. Trump,” Burgum said.
The governor was among those who participated in the presidential primaries, but he dropped out of the race in early December without endorsing anyone.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, along with his wife Kathryn, supported Donald Trump at Sunday’s rally in Indianola, Iowa
Burgum said when Trump took office in 2017 that “everything changed” since President Barack Obama was in office.
He said “heartland” states like Iowa and North Dakota were “respected” again.
“We had a friend and partner in the White House who understood us and wanted to see our states succeed instead of fail,” the North Dakota leader said.
He added, “Now, as governor, I’ve had a chance to see what the world looks like under Joe Biden — and America needs a 180-degree change from where Joe Biden has taken us.”
Burgum was still in the running for the Republican presidential nomination until December, when he failed to qualify for the final debate of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
He joined a crowded field for the race that had been thinned to just six candidates by the Iowa caucuses — with a few candidates still considered to have huge longshot status. This includes former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Texas-based businessman and preacher Ryan Binkley.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are also still in the race, vying for second place against Trump.
Burgum’s endorsement comes amid Trump’s latest push for Iowans to root for him in the nation’s first primary on Monday.
The beginning of Burgum’s show of support was interrupted by a demonstrator who responded to Trump’s comments. She was the latest in a series of outbursts from climate activists who opposed the ex-president’s candidacy, calling him a “climate criminal.”
The woman was escorted out by security after at least three others were also kicked out of the room for unfurling banners and shouting their environmentalist sentiments at the ex-president.
A protester was escorted from the room when her outburst interrupted Gov. Burgum’s start of Donald Trump’s endorsement
Although Burgum says he is the only 2024 candidate to support Trump after he dropped out, he is actually the candidate who has gone the furthest before ending their bid and endorsing the ex-president.
Larry Elder, who has never qualified for a debate in the 2024 cycle, also endorsed Trump when he ended his presidential bid in October.
Fellow former candidate Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) endorsed Nikki Haley when he dropped his bid in early October.
Others have said they don’t plan to endorse anyone in the primaries.