Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) will endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for president at a rally in Des Moines on Monday, according to a NBC News report.
Citing sources close to the governor, NBC reported the move as DeSantis’ campaign anticipates a win in Iowa, which holds its caucus on Jan. 15, will keep former President Trump from securing the GOP nomination.
The endorsement would mark a significant shift for the Iowa governor, after previously vowing to remain neutral in the 2024 primary so that all candidates would feel welcome to campaign there.
Reynolds had pledged to remain neutral in the 2024 race, but Trump has taken aim at Reynolds for doing so, and also when she appeared with DeSantis and his wife Casey on the campaign trail last summer.
Shortly after the NBC News report was published, Trump’s campaign emailed a statement blasting Reynolds, saying she was backing a candidate that had no chance of winning the White House.
“Kim Reynolds apparently has begun her retirement tour early as she clearly does not have any ambition for higher office,” the campaign wrote. “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.”
DeSantis along with other GOP rivals rallied in support behind Reynolds after Trump’s attacks, with the Florida governor calling Reynolds a “strong leader who knows how to ignore the chirping and get it done.”
The Iowa GOP caucuses in January makes the Hawkeye State’s election again the first in the nation for the party. Iowa has traditionally been first on the calendar, followed by New Hampshire. As a result, candidates on the campaign trial have spent a large chunk of time in both states, making their case to residents and state leaders.
Trump has maintained a strong double-digit lead in the primary polls, with DeSantis, who was once thought to be the biggest threat to the former president, trailing far behind. A recent Morning Consult poll found Trump showed 61 percent of GOP primary support while DeSantis garnered 13 percent.
The Hill has reached out to Reynolds office and DeSantis campaign for comment.
