Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in the 2024 election.[0] Reynolds made the announcement at a rally in Des Moines on Monday, solidifying her support for DeSantis and highlighting his importance in the state’s primary race.[1] DeSantis has been focusing on Iowa since launching his campaign in May, but has been trailing behind former President Donald Trump in the polls. Reynolds’ endorsement is seen as a significant boost for DeSantis, as she is a popular figure among Iowa Republicans, with an approval rating of 81% among likely caucus-goers.[2] Her support could potentially help DeSantis gain ground and challenge Trump in the Jan. 15 caucuses, which mark the first contest of the 2024 GOP presidential race.[2]
Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis is not only a show of support for him, but also a rebuke of Trump, who publicly criticized her earlier this year. Trump had accused Reynolds of disloyalty and predicted that her support for DeSantis would mark the “end of her political career.”[3] However, Reynolds stood by her endorsement, stating that she believes DeSantis has a better chance of winning the election. She emphasized the need for a president who can beat Joe Biden and reverse the “madness” that she believes is happening every day.[1]
The news of Reynolds’ endorsement sparked a reaction from Trump, who took to social media to call her “disloyal” and suggest that her endorsement of DeSantis would be detrimental to her political career. Despite the backlash, Reynolds remained steadfast in her support for DeSantis, citing her belief in his ability to win.
DeSantis has long sought Reynolds’ support, and there have been discussions of her potentially becoming his running mate. However, Trump had criticized Reynolds in the past for not showing enough gratitude for his efforts to help her win the governorship in 2018.[4] Despite this, Reynolds has chosen to back DeSantis and align herself with his campaign.
The endorsement from Reynolds comes at a crucial time for DeSantis, as he aims to close the gap with Trump in the polls and position himself as the main alternative to the former president. With Reynolds’ support, DeSantis hopes to gain momentum and secure a strong showing in the Iowa caucuses. The outcome of the caucuses will be closely watched, as it will provide an early indication of the candidates’ viability and set the tone for the rest of the primary race.
Overall, Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis is a significant development in the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race. It highlights the importance of Iowa in determining the outcome of the primary, and it adds credibility and support to DeSantis’ campaign. As the race continues to unfold, the endorsement from Reynolds could play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of the candidates and determining who will ultimately secure the nomination.
0. “2024 Election: Iowa Governor to Endorse Ron DeSantis in GOP Race” Bloomberg, 5 Nov. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-05/iowa-s-governor-to-endorse-desantis-in-gop-race-snubbing-trump
1. “Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds endorses DeSantis” Axios, 7 Nov. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/11/07/desantis-endorsed-kim-reynolds-iowa-2024
2. “Iowa governor to endorse Ron DeSantis for president” NBC Chicago, 6 Nov. 2023, https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/iowa-governor-to-endorse-ron-desantis-for-president/3269921
3. “DeSantis, trailing Trump, seeks spark in Iowa with Reynolds endorsement” POLITICO, 7 Nov. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/06/desantis-iowa-kim-reynolds-endorsement-00125701
4. “Iowa governor breaks neutrality to endorse Ron DeSantis for president” The Guardian US, 6 Nov. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/07/iowa-governor-kim-reynolds-endorses-ron-desantis
