Polls of Iowa show a lopsided Republican Presidential race. But while Donald Trump may be ahead in that one, he’s not doing anything to win Gov. Kim Reynolds’ loyalty, and that could be to Ron DeSantis’ advantage.
On Monday evening, DeSantis tweeted that Reynolds “is a strong leader who knows how to ignore the chirping and get it done. She earned a landslide re-election because she delivered big results, and she is poised to deliver even more for Iowans in the special session.”
That was a response to Trump on Truth Social, in a post dragging DeSantis and Reynolds.
“I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won. Now, she wants to remain ‘NEUTRAL.’ I don’t invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points,” Trump tweeted.
Reynolds has appeared with a number of candidates this cycle, but DeSantis and company arguably have had some of the most prominent placements, despite being down by 20 points or more in polls.
Even before formally launching, DeSantis held an Iowa book tour stop in March.
He called Reynolds “America’s Governor” amid mutually admiring remarks.
“This guy is a man on a mission,” Reynolds said at the time.
During a follow-up interview on the Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, the Governor continued to wax poetic about the Hawkeye State.
“You know, Governor Kim Reynolds is a friend of mine,” he said. “And I often tell people when they ask me in Florida, you know, who else has done a good job? I always say, you look what Iowa’s done. They’ve done a lot of the things that Florida’s done.”
He followed up those comments this spring.
“I was here in March and someone kind of took note and they’re like, ‘Man, look at all the stuff Iowa is doing. Iowa is like the Florida of the Midwest.’ But I just want to let you know, after watching all the good stuff you’ve done in Iowa, it may be that Florida is the Iowa of the Southeast,” DeSantis said.
The good vibes continued this month.
First Lady Casey DeSantis launched Iowa’s version of “Mamas for DeSantis” with Reynolds, in an attempt to get momentum again in the state. She sounded like her husband at least once.
“It’s not just the Free State of Florida. It’s the Free State of Iowa,” Mrs. DeSantis said
The post In Iowa, Ron DeSantis bets on Kim Reynolds appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..