South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s recent visit to Cape Canaveral to deliver the keynote speech at the Brevard County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner stirred up significant controversy, drawing Democratic protesters who opposed her appearance. Noem’s invitation was met with backlash due to controversial remarks in her book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.” In the book, Noem recounts shooting and killing a family dog named Cricket, a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, after it allegedly attacked a neighbor’s chickens and exhibited aggressive behavior. She wrote, “I hated that dog,” describing it as “untrainable” and “dangerous.”

Native American Tribes’ Response and Bipartisan Criticism

Following the revelation of the dog’s killing, all nine Native American tribes in South Dakota voted to ban Noem from their reservations. This action was in response to Noem’s previous comments, which some tribal leaders interpreted as disparaging and accusing them of benefiting from drug cartels. Noem has faced bipartisan criticism for her remarks, which have sparked the formation of a bipartisan “dog-lovers” congressional caucus.

Despite the controversy, Rick Lacey, Chairman of the Brevard Republican Executive Committee, defended the decision to invite Noem, emphasizing the event’s popularity with hundreds of tickets sold at over $100 each. Lacey pointed out what he perceived as a double standard, referencing former President Barack Obama’s memoir where he wrote about eating dog meat as a child in Indonesia.

Democratic Protests and Local Reaction

Outside the Cape Canaveral Radisson, around a dozen Democratic protesters, led by Brevard Democrats chairwoman Pamela Castellana, gathered to voice their opposition to Noem’s invitation. Castellana highlighted the community support they received from passersby, noting Sheriff Wayne Ivey’s strong stance against animal cruelty, which she contrasted with Noem’s actions. Castellana also pointed out a perceived divide within the local Republican Party, suggesting that many rational Republican voters were not aligned with the decision to invite Noem due to her controversial statements.

Governor Kristi Noem’s visit to Cape Canaveral for the Brevard County Republican Party’s Lincoln Reagan Dinner ignited controversy and protests due to her past actions and statements regarding animal cruelty. Despite objections from both Democrats and some Republicans, the event proceeded as planned, reflecting ongoing debates about political accountability and moral standards within the community.