DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is set to endorse Ron DeSantis for president, giving a much-needed boost to DeSantis’ 2024 campaign as he struggles to gain traction against Donald Trump in the fiercely contested Republican primary, according to sources familiar with the matter.
DeSantis has staked his hopes of emerging as a Trump alternative squarely on Iowa. Reynolds, a well-regarded figure within the GOP, will defy Iowa’s longstanding tradition of neutrality by throwing her support behind DeSantis. Typically, Iowa’s governor remains neutral before the caucuses that mark the beginning of the Republicans’ nomination process in January.
Sources spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity ahead of Reynolds’ expected announcement at a rally in Des Moines on Monday. The endorsement has also been reported by The Des Moines Register and NBC News.
While Reynolds has previously appeared with DeSantis at political events in Iowa and alongside Florida’s first lady Casey DeSantis, she has refrained from publicly declaring her support. However, she has frequently highlighted shared policy priorities and achievements, including the passage of a bill banning abortion at six weeks of pregnancy, prior to many women even realizing they’re pregnant.
Reynolds, currently serving her second term, had previously stated that she was open to endorsing a candidate in the January 15 caucuses.
In March, Reynolds introduced Trump at an event. However, Trump has accused her of disloyalty for considering an endorsement ahead of the caucuses and has attempted to take credit for her successful bid for the governorship.
Unsurprisingly, the Trump campaign swiftly criticized Reynolds’ decision. In an emailed statement, they remarked, “Kim Reynolds apparently has begun her retirement tour early as she clearly does not have any ambition for higher office. Earlier this year, she promised her constituents that she would remain neutral in the race, yet she has completely gone back on that promise. Regardless, her endorsement will not make any difference in this race.”
Trump himself weighed in on the matter with a series of fiery social media posts, accusing Reynolds of disloyalty and reneging on her pledge to remain neutral. He wrote, “If and when Kim Reynolds of Iowa endorses Ron DeSanctimonious, who is absolutely dying in the polls both in Iowa and Nationwide, it will be the end of her political career in that MAGA would never support her again, just as MAGA will never support DeSanctimonious again. Two extremely disloyal people getting together is, however, a very beautiful thing to watch. They can now remain loyal to each other because nobody else wants them!!!”
Trump is widely favored to win in Iowa, which makes it a crucial state for DeSantis. DeSantis is competing with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley to establish himself as a viable alternative to Trump in the upcoming leadoff contest, just 10 weeks away.
A month ago, DeSantis dispatched around 20 staff members from his campaign headquarters in Tallahassee to Iowa. His super political action committee, Never Back Down, has also had approximately two dozen staff members reaching out to potential caucus participants since the summer.
Last Friday, DeSantis addressed around 50 GOP activists during a stop in Denison, the heart of Crawford County which is known for its strong Republican support. This visit marked his 86th county stop in Iowa as part of his goal to visit all 99 counties in the state.
Reynolds has gained popularity within the party, particularly for signing a school choice bill and a strict abortion ban this year.
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AP National Political Writer Steve Peoples in New York contributed to this report.
