Corey Lewandowski Eyes Political Comeback With John Thune in His Sights

Corey Lewandowski is reportedly working to regain his standing in President Trump’s political orbit, months after losing his government role following Kristi Noem’s departure as Homeland Security secretary. The longtime Trump ally is now drawing attention for publicly suggesting that Senate Majority Leader John Thune could face a serious Republican primary challenge in South Dakota.

Lewandowski, who managed Trump’s campaign during the early stages of the 2016 presidential race, left his position as a special government employee around the same time Trump removed Noem from DHS in March. Since then, Republican sources say Lewandowski has been searching for a path back into Trump’s good graces and the broader MAGA political operation.

His comments about Thune have fueled speculation that Noem could eventually challenge the Senate majority leader. Lewandowski recently described Thune as vulnerable to a “very serious Republican primary challenge” and suggested South Dakota voters could turn to someone with a proven record of winning statewide elections. Noem served as South Dakota governor after previously representing the state in Congress.

Lewandowski also criticized the Senate’s handling of President Trump’s SAVE America Act, legislation that would impose proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration and photo identification requirements for voting. Thune has said the measure currently lacks enough Senate support to pass, an obstacle that has frustrated Trump. Lewandowski warned that no incumbent senator is immune from the will of Republican voters.

Any attempt to take on Thune would represent a major Republican battle. Thune has served in the Senate since 2005 and became majority leader, giving him a powerful national position and an established political organization in South Dakota. Still, recent polling cited by the Post showed Trump with substantially stronger approval numbers in the state than Thune, potentially creating an opening for a challenger running closely aligned with the president.

Lewandowski’s path back to influence also faces significant obstacles. He reportedly has strained relationships with several figures in Trump’s inner circle, including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. His tenure at DHS has also faced scrutiny over allegations involving the awarding of government contracts, allegations Lewandowski has denied.

The Post also reported that Lewandowski and Noem continue to have a romantic relationship, citing unnamed sources and recent photographs of the two together in Minnesota. Both remain married to other people, and the reported relationship has been a source of controversy surrounding the pair. Neither has publicly confirmed the relationship.

Noem is currently serving as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas at the State Department following her departure from DHS. She has not announced plans to challenge Thune, and Thune himself has indicated that he expects to seek another Senate term in 2028 while stopping short of making a final commitment.

For Lewandowski, the emerging battle over Thune could provide an avenue back into Republican politics. Despite losing his government position and facing resistance from some Trump insiders, the veteran political operative appears determined to remain involved, with South Dakota potentially becoming the stage for his next major political fight.