Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds decided to take a stand against President Donald Trump this week, throwing her support behind Republican nominee Ron DeSantis ahead of the state’s primary election next month.
Reynolds made the move to side with Trump’s former GOP rival despite the fact that the President has previously endorsed DeSantis’s general election opponent Bill Schuette.
The Governor said that it was important to have “a Republican Governor who reflects Iowa’s values.”
“Ron DeSantis has the experience and the values that align with our state,” she said in a statement.
Reynolds also took aim at Trump’s tariffs and other policies, saying that “Iowa farmers and businesses have been hurt by the president’s policies and decisions.”
“The last thing we need right now is a governor who will play political games and flip-flop on issues,” she warned.
The Governor’s decision to support DeSantis, rather than Trump’s chosen candidate, is a significant shift from her usual stance on the President’s policies. Reynolds has previously said she would back all of Trump’s initiatives, expressing her full support for them during a speech in 2017.
Her comments are a clear sign that she is willing to break ranks with the president when it comes to what is best for her state, something that has been a discussion point during DeSantis’s campaign.
The Republican nominee has criticized Trump’s tariffs and other trade wars, calling for the president to put an end to the “trade wars” and focus on rebuilding international relationships.
Reynolds and DeSantis may not agree with Trump on everything, but they both recognize that strong leadership is needed to move the country forward.
The Iowa governor’s decision to back DeSantis could carry weight in the upcoming primary election. Recent polling indicates that DeSantis is leading his opponents in the state, a lead that could be bolstered by Reynolds lending her support.
It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious on August 28, but regardless of the outcome one thing is clear: Iowa’s governor is not afraid to stand up for what she believes is best for her state.