Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt travels to Iowa to campaign for fellow Gov. Ron DeSantis

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt traveled to Coralville, Iowa, this week to campaign for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Stitt's trip, like those of many other politicians, comes just weeks before the Iowa caucuses, scheduled for Jan. 15.

Iowa voters in the state's 99 counties will cast ballots for their favorite presidential candidate.

In a video posted on X — formerly Twitter — Stitt spoke to the crowd for about 15 minutes. He introduced DeSantis, calling the Florida governor the guy who will get things done.

"We know what to do. We know how to secure our borders," Stitt said. "We know how to protect freedoms, we know how to protect our children. Sometimes politicians, when they get to Washington, they get weak sauce. They get mushy. They get influenced by lobbyists and money. DeSantis does not back down. He is a leader that will do what he says. He will get the job done."

Stitt also endorsed DeSantis' cultural war policies, saying he was copying a lot of things DeSantis has done. "As far as protecting our kids in schools, DEI and the things we're doing in Oklahoma, I'm copying a lot of things DeSantis does. Like protecting our kids," Stitt said. "I know everyone running. The reason I'm here is because this is the right guy. Oklahoma is watching Iowa."

How well is Ron DeSantis polling?

While Stitt was vocal in his endorsement of DeSantis, polling in the governor's race shows the Florida governor underwater among all registered voters with an unfavorable rating of 52%. In addition, a poll released this week by Quinnipiac University shows DeSantis' campaign for president continues to lose ground.

"DeSantis continues his yearlong slide. Haley gains momentum. The battle for second place heats up, but it's unlikely it will send a holiday chill through MAGA world," Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said.

Data from the poll showed that among Republican and Republican leaning voters, 67% support Trump, 11% support DeSantis, 11% support Haley, 4% support entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and 3% support former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

More: Ron DeSantis reveals what he would change about the 2024 Republican primary: Donald Trump's indictments

Still, even though Stitt's choice for president might not be viable, the exposure from a national campaign could prove to be a big payoff for Oklahoma's governor.

"It (the DeSantis campaign) raises his name ID if he ever wants to run on his own," said Rose State political science professor James Davenport. "As it is now, Gov. Stitt won't be a stranger to Iowa voters."

And even if a Republican other than DeSantis wins the White House, Davenport said, that does wouldn't preclude Stitt from having a role in a new Republican administration.

Former University of Oklahoma political science professor Keith Gaddie said Stitt's campaign with DeSantis gives the Oklahoma governor the opportunity to polish off the rough spots, the experience of talking about a national agenda and it plugs Stitt into the national GOP network.

"There's really no downside for Stitt at this point, because he's not the candidate," Gaddie said. "This is an opportunity for him to get a sense of who is on the ground and get himself in on the conversation."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt endorses Ron DeSantis at Iowa rallt