Trump’s clash with Iowa’s governor challenges his advantage in vital caucuses.

Republican Leaders in Iowa Watch Trump’s Feud with Gov. Reynolds

Republican leaders in Iowa are closely monitoring the emerging feud between former President Donald Trump and Governor Kim Reynolds (R-IA). The question on their minds is whether this rift could impact Trump’s support leading up to the presidential caucus.

“I love Iowa, protected & expanded Ethanol, got 28 Billion Dollars from China for our great Farmers, ended the Estate (Death!) Tax on farms, made the best TRADE deals in history (USMCA, China, & many more), introduced the World to our FARMERS, & kept Iowa’s “First in the Nation” status. I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won. Now, she wants to remain ‘NEUTRAL.’ I don’t invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!”

Trump’s public swipe at Governor Reynolds for her neutrality in the Republican presidential caucus has escalated their reported rift. While Reynolds is popular among Iowa Republicans, the impact of this quarrel will depend on whether it captures the attention of voters.

Support for Governor Reynolds Amidst Trump’s Criticism

Following Trump’s post, several presidential candidates and Iowa politicians expressed their support for Governor Reynolds, seemingly acknowledging the tension. Some believe that Trump’s decision to turn against a popular Iowa Republican could have a negative effect on his standing among GOP voters.

“Absolutely. It will,” said Cody Hoefert, former co-chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa from 2014 to 2021. “Republican voters in Iowa understand the positive things, conservative-wise, that Gov. Reynolds has done since she was first elected. And so she has a high popularity rating, a high favorability rating among Iowa Republicans, specifically.”

Hoefert believes that Trump’s loyal supporters alone will not be enough to turn them against a well-liked home-state politician. He emphasizes that Governor Reynolds has a strong conservative record to run on in Iowa, which will likely reflect negatively on Trump in state polling.

Popular Iowa talk show host Steve Deace considers Trump’s insult towards Reynolds as one of the “stupidest things” he has witnessed in the history of the Iowa caucuses. Deace suggests that if Trump continues to escalate his attack on the governor, it will harm his support in the state. He believes that Reynolds is more popular than both Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL).

While Deace is uncertain if the story will reach Republican voters, he asserts that those who do hear about it will not be pleased. The impact of this feud remains to be seen, but it is disappointing to many, including Johnson County GOP Chairwoman Teresa Horton Bumgarner.

Bumgarner expresses her preference for unity among the candidates and the governor, highlighting Governor Reynolds’ accomplishments and popularity. She doubts that the feud will heavily influence the decisions of free-thinking county Republicans, but acknowledges that it will likely be covered in local news for a while.

Story County GOP Chairman and Nevada, Iowa, Mayor Brett Barker also believes that criticizing a successful and popular governor like Reynolds will not be helpful before the caucus. While he sees a downside to Trump’s actions, he is unsure of the extent to which it will impact his support.

On the other hand, Warren County GOP Chairman Steve Kirby believes that true Trump supporters will not be turned off by the feud, as political campaigns often involve internal conflicts. Pollster Doug Usher even suggests that Trump’s attack on Reynolds could work in his favor, citing his history of feuds with popular Republican politicians.

Usher acknowledges that traditionally, incumbent and popular politicians have held significant influence in Iowa. However, he notes that Trump operates independently within the Republican Party and predicts that the feud is unlikely to harm him in the state.

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