DeSantis rallies in Iowa ahead of third GOP debate

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds plans to appear at a rally Monday with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whom she is expected to endorse for president. The DeSantis campaign has publicized Reynolds’ appearance, and multiple outlets reported the endorsement, citing anonymous sources.

Why does Reynolds’ support matter? The governor is the highest-profile Republican official in the earliest-voting state of the presidential primary season. The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for Jan. 15, 2024. Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis, who is polling in second place in the contest, would serve as a symbolic vote of no-confidence in the GOP front-runner, former President Donald Trump. The Trump campaign on Sunday began criticizing Reynolds, saying she was starting her retirement tour early and that she “does not have any ambition for higher office.” It also criticized her for saying she would remain neutral among Republican candidates and then changing her mind.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s coverage in The Stew of the most recent Republican presidential debate.