Gov. Kim Reynolds explains her endorsement of Ron DeSantis at lively Iowa rally

Before a closely packed, cheering crowd, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds embraced Ron DeSantis Monday night and publicly announced her endorsement of his presidential campaign.

"Our country is in trouble. The world is a powder keg," Reynolds said. "And I know that, without a doubt, that Ron DeSantis is the person that we need leading this country."

Reynolds praised DeSantis' leadership in Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic, his efficacy in office and his family values. Plus, she said, he's someone "who, most importantly, can win."

Reynolds also made a personal appeal for putting the DeSantis family in the White House. She told the crowd that first lady Casey DeSantis, who is a breast cancer survivor, made a special visit in October to see first gentleman Kevin Reynolds, who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.

More: Gov. Kim Reynolds says US can't gamble on Trump candidacy as she endorses Ron DeSantis

"Now, this is a mom of three, whose husband is running for president and leading a state, and she still took the time to come see us," Reynolds said, thanking Casey DeSantis for her friendship and her prayers.

Reynolds' endorsement is a huge win for DeSantis, who has committed to a grueling, expensive schedule of Iowa campaigning but failed to gain ground in the most recent Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll.

DeSantis praised Reynolds on Monday for her conservative leadership of Iowa, and thanked her for the endorsement.

"I appreciate Gov. Reynolds getting involved in the process," DeSantis said. "And look, when you do that, some people don't like it. … But I think that she understands what I understand: This country has hit the skids. This country is in a period of decline."

Former President Donald Trump, who holds a commanding lead among likely Republican caucusgoers in Iowa, ridiculed Reynolds for endorsing DeSantis in weekend social media posts, pledging that his "MAGA" base will never again support her.

"Two extremely disloyal people getting together is, however, a very beautiful thing to watch. They can now remain loyal to each other because nobody else wants them!!!" Trump said in a string of Truth Social posts.

Reynolds is deeply popular with Iowa Republicans. According to Iowa Poll data, Reynolds is viewed more favorably among likely Republican caucusgoers than any of the presidential candidates, including Trump.

Ron DeSantis rally flaunts endorsement strength, despite low poll numbers

The lineup of speakers at Monday's rally was a display of DeSantis' strength among Iowa Republican leaders.

Forty-one Iowa state legislators have endorsed DeSantis, including many who squeezed into the crowd at the rally. Before Reynolds spoke, Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl and Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair — two of the highest-ranking lawmakers in the state — gave impassioned pitches for DeSantis.

"When I started looking at that field of candidates, I knew I wanted someone who was looking to America’s future, and not constantly fighting the past," Sinclair said. "I knew I wanted someone with a proven track record of accomplishing the hard things, not constantly caving to criticism."

Despite the love from Iowa Republican leaders, DeSantis has yet to gain a strong foothold among caucusgoers.

According to an October Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll of likely Republican caucusgoers, DeSantis is tied for second place with former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. They are at 16% — well behind former president Trump, who is at 43%.

Reynolds told the Register she believes DeSantis can win the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 15, and she hopes to help move across the finish line.

What happened between Kim Reynolds and Donald Trump?

Reynolds initially pledged to remain neutral in the 2024 primary battle. She appeared on the campaign trail with every presidential contender, including Trump.

But Trump lashed out at Reynolds this summer for her particularly close involvement with DeSantis, who she introduced to Iowans during his first trip to the state in March.

Trump argued in social media posts that he was responsible for Reynolds' political success, and he took credit for being "the sole reason" that Iowa Republicans retained their first-in-the-nation status in the party's presidential nomination process.

Trump held a rally for Reynolds and other Republican candidates less than a month before the 2018 election. But polling showed Iowans viewed Reynolds more favorably than Trump leading up to the 2018 election.

And although national Democrats fought to replace Iowa at the front of the presidential nominating calendar, there has been no such public effort among Republicans.

Will other Iowa Republicans endorse in the 2024 race?

It’s rare, though not unprecedented, for Iowa’s top elected officials to weigh in on behalf of candidates ahead of the caucuses.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, a Republican serving her first term in office, leapt into the fray before Reynolds. Bird endorsed Trump in October, saying in a statement that "Iowans know he is the only candidate who can defeat Joe Biden and bring prosperity back to America."

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who represents Iowa's deep-red 4th District, said in July that he plans to endorse.

Other Republican leaders, including long-time U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and first-term U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, have pledged to remain neutral through the caucuses.

Nunn told reporters Monday he intends to be a "good ambassador" for any candidates visiting Iowa's 3rd District.

"Iowans are going to give their best endorsement by electing somebody to win the Iowa Caucus, and that will be the starting line for anybody who wants to become the next commander in chief of the United States," Nunn said. "So I’m very committed to being open to every candidate who wants to come here."

Stephen Gruber-Miller contributed reporting.

Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds rallies with Ron DeSantis after endorsing