In today’s political climate, the nation is preparing for the upcoming 2020 presidential election and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, is no exception. Recently, she made waves when she threw her support behind Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the race for the White House.
The endorsement comes after President Trump had previously declared his support for DeSantis as his chosen candidate. In an interview with CNN about the decision, Governor Reynolds said that DeSantis has a “strong record of results” and went on to describe him as an inspiring leader who could “bring together the country and build a coalition of support.”
The governor’s words, however, also suggest that she may be trying to distance herself from President Trump and his policies. During the same interview, she said that “as a state and local official, you must recognize that the federal government does not always have the answers and that cooperation beyond Washington is essential.”
Despite any differences in policy – and their respective endorsements of DeSantis and Trump – Reynolds also praised Trump for his accomplishments, such as cutting taxes and strengthening the economy. She went on to say that, although she doesn’t always agree with him, she “respects” his decision and Twitter posts, and that she is “focused on working hard for the people of Iowa and doing what’s best for our state.”
Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis shows that while she and the president surely do not always see eye to eye, they can put partisan differences aside when it is necessary. In addition, Reynolds’ comments suggest that she is looking to Iowa’s future and is not contented relying solely on federal interventions or policies to solve the state’s problems.