Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed her ‘commit to caucus’ for the Ron DeSantis ticket after endorsing him, as the Florida governor’s advisers see a ‘big win’ in the key early voting state as the only way to stop Donald Trump’s path to Republican president. lecture.
DeSantis sat next to Reynolds as she formalized her pledge to support him, while the two governors laughed together, as seen in exclusive photos obtained by DailyMail.com.
The Florida governor has more than 20,000 Iowans aligned with him so far, according to his campaign, and he has made stops in 87 of Iowa’s 99 counties. He has promised to visit them all – the only presidential candidate to do so.
It’s all part of his strategy to score an early victory in the Republican presidential primaries, including Reynolds’ “massive statewide political operation” in Iowa — the state hosting the first nominating contest of 2024.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signs her caucus commitment for the Ron DeSantis ticket in exclusive photos obtained by DailyMail.com
Reynold and DeSantis hit the campaign trail Wednesday, doing an early event with DeSantis’ wife Casey and their daughters by their side.
The Iowa governor will also join DeSantis in Miami for a fundraiser on Tuesday evening, a source confirmed to DailyMail.com, but she will not remain in Florida for Wednesday’s presidential debate.
Meanwhile, a DeSantis campaign memo obtained by the Associated Press and sent to donors claims other Republican candidates — including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley — are spoilers in what is a contest between Trump and DeSantis.
Trump still leads by double digits in Iowa – 26 points in the RealClearPolitics Polls average. DeSantis, who has invested heavily in the state, is a close second to Haley and leads her by only three points.
“Everyone can universally agree that if Trump were to pull off a big win in Iowa, it would create media and political momentum for his candidacy that would be difficult to stop if he went to New Hampshire,” the memo reads , written by campaign manager James Uthmeier and deputy manager David. Polyansky and senior advisor Ryan Tyson.
“Additionally, a Trump loss or even a close contest in the Hawkeye State will expose its political vulnerabilities and inspire Republican voters across the country who are either in the ‘not for Trump’ or ‘consider Trump and others’ modes. camps,” the advisors wrote. .
Ron DeSantis arrives with Casey DeSantis and their daughters for a campaign event at Machine Shed restaurant in Davenport, Iowa
Reynolds signs her caucus commitment to the DeSantis ticket and he has more than 20,000 Iowans committed to him so far
The memo argues that Haley and others are “at best simply playing the role of spoiler, exponentially increasing the likelihood of a Trump nomination.”
Trump, meanwhile, reacted angrily to Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis. She ran for governor – and won – with his support.
“Why would anyone support Ron DeSanctimonious, who looks like a wounded bird falling from the sky?” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday evening. “His polling is terrible, he is completely against ethanol and has fought to destroy Social Security and Medicare.”
Reynolds originally pledged to stay out of the crowded Republican primaries and host events with almost every candidate in the race, though Trump notably avoided her events.
However, DeSantis courted her heavily. Her support was a major boost to his campaign and a joining of forces between two conservative governors.
Reynolds said that once she made her decision, she saw no reason to delay her announcement.
“Why now, because I’ve made the decision, and as soon as I make a decision, I’m in. I’m ready to go,” Reynolds told NBC News. “I’ll be there talking, campaigning for him, talking to Iowans and playing any role I can to help him win the nomination.”
Gov. Kim Reynolds with Ron and Casey DeSantis and their children in Davenport, Iowa
Reynolds’ endorsement was a major boost for DeSantis’ campaign
It remains to be seen whether Governor Kim Reynolds’ popularity in Iowa can translate into support for Ron DeSantis
It remains to be seen whether her star power and popularity in Iowa will translate into support for DeSantis in the January caucuses.
In the meantime, Haley is campaigning hard. Her team points out that she has attracted more donors and supporters with strong performances in the first two Republican primaries.
The third debate on Wednesday, which will feature just five candidates on stage, will be even more closely watched — especially between DeSantis and Haley, whose surrogates have stepped up their criticism of the other’s candidate.
In her own memo, Haley campaign manager Betsy Ankney on Monday described the Iowa contest as a “dead heat” between DeSantis and Haley, while ignoring Trump’s huge lead.
“The Iowa Caucuses are just over two months away. The New Hampshire primary is just eight days later. And Nikki Haley is the only candidate to perform well in both positions,” Ankney wrote. “EVEN IF DeSantis were to do well in Iowa, which is a big ‘if’ given his current decline, he is in such a weak position in New Hampshire and South Carolina that it doesn’t matter. He has no endgame.”
In New Hampshire, Haley is in second place in the Polling average from RealClearPoliticswith a nine-point lead over DeSantis.
Trump has a 30-point lead in the state.