Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is joining Republicans who’ve expressed doubts that Donald Trump can win back the White House and has endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president.
Reynolds joined DeSantis at a campaign rally last night in Des Moines.
The Iowa Caucuses are the kick-off event in the 2024 GOP presidential race and Reynolds says that means Iowans play a critical role in making what she calls the right choice in 2024.
Reynolds did not directly mention former President Donald Trump, who leads in public opinion polls here and elsewhere, but Reynolds described DeSantis as a candidate who’s looks to the future, not the past. “Someone who most importantly, can win and that person is Ron DeSantis,” Reynolds said, “and it is why I’m so proud to stand here tonight to give him my full support and endorsement for president of the United States of America.”
During an interview with the Des Moines Register, Reynolds said she doesn’t think Trump can win next November. During Monday night’s campaign rally with DeSantis, Reynolds made an indirect reference to Trump’s remark that it was a terrible mistake for DeSantis to sign a six week abortion ban. Reynolds, who has twice signed similar legislation, praised DeSantis for it.
Reynolds also said DeSantis was the only candidate running for president who stood up to Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was Trump’s chief medical advisor during the pandemic. DeSantis thanked Reynolds for the endorsement, telling the crowd that as governor, Reynolds had delivered really big results…when it’s not easy.
Casey DeSantis, who spoke just before Reynolds, acknowledged the endorsement may not be politically convenient for Reynolds.
Trump has called Reynolds disloyal and Trump posted on his social media site that Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis is the end of her political career. A few Trump supporters stood across the street from the DeSantis rally Monday night and a pickup carrying a Trump flag drove around the venue.
