DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds touted Ron DeSantis’ accomplishments as governor of Florida as she endorsed him for president Monday — and said she believes he will be able to win the 2024 general election, while Donald Trump cannot.
“I believe he can’t win,” Reynolds said of Trump, “and I believe that Ron can.
“And that’s a big reason I got behind him,” Reynolds said in a joint interview with DeSantis.
Reynolds, who is in her second term, had said she would stay neutral in the Republican primary race, though she appeared with DeSantis at least eight times since he announced his candidacy in late May. But she is breaking with local tradition to throw her support behind DeSantis as he tries to consolidate non-Trump Republicans and close the polling gap with the former president in Iowa and other states.
“This one’s obviously very meaningful, because Kim has proven to be a great leader that Iowans love,” DeSantis said of Reynolds’ support, recounting the enthusiasm he hears from Iowans for their governor as he campaigns across the state.
“I mean, any time I mention her name out there, they cheer, and it’s because of what she’s been able to accomplish as governor,”