Kim Reynolds shows her strength at Iowa State Fair through interviews and endorsement silence.
Gov. Kim Reynolds Boosts National Profile at Iowa State Fair
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) is making waves at the Iowa State Fair this weekend, rubbing shoulders with nearly every Republican presidential hopeful, except for former President Donald Trump.
The Iowa governor is a rising star in the Republican Party, and she’s keeping her cards close to her chest by refraining from endorsing any specific candidate ahead of the 2024 Republican primaries. This strategic move positions her as a key player in an important early contest, as her state will kick off the 2024 GOP election season with the Iowa Caucuses in January.
Keeping the Field Open
“Maybe down the road, we’ll do something different,” Reynolds 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.”
The governor has been hosting one-on-one conversations with each candidate at the state fair, except for Trump, who declined her invitation. These talks, known as “fair-side chats,” have allowed Reynolds to engage with the candidates and gauge their appeal to Iowa voters. However, Trump’s absence has strained their relationship due to Reynolds’ endorsement silence.
Reynolds acknowledges that she may endorse a candidate in the future, but for now, she wants to remain neutral as the race is far from settled. She anticipates surprises over the next five months, which could shake up the election landscape.
“There’s always surprises. It’s part of the process,” Reynolds said. ”I can’t think of one caucus where there hasn’t been a surprise.”
Positive Reception from Candidates
Reynolds’ approach has garnered favorable responses from most of the Republican candidates. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Trump’s main challenger for the nomination, praised Reynolds as “one of the top public servants in America.” DeSantis even expressed openness to considering Reynolds as a possible running mate if he secures the nomination.
Outside of the state fair, Reynolds sees herself as a conservative leader who can draw crowds to GOP events in Iowa. She has appeared alongside almost every candidate who has campaigned in her state, including Trump back in May. Additionally, she has shared the stage with Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and former governors Nikki Haley (R-SC) and Asa Hutchinson (R-AR).
Reynolds assumed the role of governor in 2017 when her former boss, then-Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA), became Trump’s ambassador to China. After narrowly winning the seat in the official election of 2018, she soared to reelection in 2022.
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