In their first joint interview, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds stated that she chose to support Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president despite not paying heed to surveys conducted months before the state’s Republican presidential caucus in January.
When Reynolds was questioned about why she defied Iowa’s long-standing governors’ tradition of remaining impartial and not endorsing during the primaries, she made the comments in an NBC News interview with reporter Dasha Burns.
“I just felt like I couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer. We have too much at stake. I truly believe that he is the right person to get this country back on track.” Reynolds said.
“I don’t base my decision on polls. I take a look at who I believe is the right person for the right job. I believe that Ron is the right person for the right job. And I believe he’s going to win.” Reynolds responded in reference to polls showing the Florida Governor in second place in the primaries.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on why she's breaking with the Iowa tradition of staying neutral during the primaries and endorsing Ron DeSantis:
“I just felt like I couldn't sit on the sidelines any longer. We have too much at stake. I truly believe that he is the right person to… pic.twitter.com/f46QbmMZOU
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) November 7, 2023
Later, Burns questioned her about her relationship with former President Donald Trump, who has been disparaging her ever since it became known that she was supporting DeSantis rather than Trump.
“Probably the last time he called to ask if I would endorse him, and I said I wasn’t at this point.” Reynolds said when asked when the last time she spoke to the former president was.
[READ MORE: Trump Attacks Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds for Endorsing DeSantis]
