Iowa’s popular Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president over former President Donald Trump, according to a pro-DeSantis superPAC.
The political action committee Never Back Down posted the news on X (formerly Twitter) after NBC News reported that Reynolds would toss her support to DeSantis at the candidate’s rally in Des Moines on Monday.
NBC reporter Dasha Burns called the development a “major break from tradition” for Iowa governors, who typically remain neutral in presidential races, as Iowa votes first.
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Burns said Reynolds’ endorsement is possibly the “only one that could move the needle” in Iowa, which could set the “narrative” for the Republican primary, especially if DeSantis can overcome Trump’s massive 32-point lead.
Iowa may be an example where Trump’s willingness to throw allies under the bus may have backfired on him.
The conservative website RedState noted that Reynolds had tried to remain above the fray between DeSantis and Trump, yet she “may have changed her mind when she found herself on the receiving end of Trump’s ire.”
Trump criticized Reynolds after she participated in several DeSantis rallies.
As the Tampa Free Press reported last month, DeSantis picked up on that and made that case to Iowa voters.
“Donald Trump will attack good, strong conservatives like Kim Reynolds because he thinks that advances him,” DeSantis said at one campaign stop in October. “Republican voters do not want to see attacks against strong governors like Kim Reynolds. There’s no reason to do that. It’s not about you. It’s about the greater good. She has delivered results for Iowa. She has been a leader that has been able to enact a lot of great policy.”
“There’s no reason to be taking potshots,” DeSantis continued, “but I think it’s another indication that Trump views everything through the lens of him — that if you’re kissing his rump, you’re great. If you’re not, then he’s gonna attack you.”
RedState columnist Teri Christoph suggested Reynolds may be the beginning of Trump’s dam breaking.
“A Reynolds endorsement is a big get for DeSantis. Reynolds is a social conservative who is very popular and very influential in her state. She has been closely aligned with DeSantis on many issues, including COVID and abortion, and her support will undoubtedly be a big boost for him in Iowa,” Christoph wrote.
“This endorsement may lead to a softening of support for Trump in Iowa, but it could also hurt him in other ways: If Reynolds is willing to buck tradition by getting involved this early, who might follow her lead? Are there other governors or prominent state officials in early primary states who see DeSantis as a valid alternative to Trump and are willing to make their support official?”
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