Gov. Kim Reynolds is eagerly rolling out the welcome mat for Republican presidential candidates in Iowa, showering each of the contenders with attention and pledging her neutrality in the 2024 race – for now, at least.
“Maybe down the road, we’ll do something different,” the GOP governor told CNN. “But right now, it’s really important that they feel like they have a fair shot, and they’re welcome here in Iowa, and I want Iowans to have the chance to interact with them.”
Reynolds is playing a central role in the opening stages of the Republican presidential contest, with candidates eager to bask in her glow in hopes of elevating their campaigns. Her popularity among Republicans in Iowa makes her an asset, and a possible late endorsement from Reynolds could sway voters, adding a wrinkle of unpredictability ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
In an interview at the Iowa State Fair this week, Reynolds repeatedly left the door open to a late endorsement before the caucuses open the Republican nominating contest in January. She said she believed the primary race was far from settled.
“I don’t think you should ever say, ‘Never, never,’” Reynolds said when pressed on whether she’s ruling out endorsing closer to the January 15 Iowa caucuses. “We’ll see what happens. I’ve made it clear, probably looking at neutral, especially in the beginning.”
As a parade of Republican presidential hopefuls descend on the Iowa State Fair, including dueling appearances Saturday from former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Reynolds told CNN that she believed surprises were in store over the next five months.
“There’s always surprises. It’s part of the process,” Reynolds said of the GOP race to take on President Joe Biden. “I can’t think of one caucus where there hasn’t been a surprise.”
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