DeSantis Campaign Press Release - WTAS: Kim Reynolds' Historic Endorsement

"This is a BIG deal." "Most significant in Iowa in decades." "Biggest endorsement of the cycle by a long shot." "This will make a significant impact on this race." "Historic move." "Game changer in Iowa."

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds endorsed Ron DeSantis for president last night on stage at a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa. Reynolds' endorsement is historic - she is the first sitting Iowa governor to endorse in a contested Republican presidential primary since 1996.

Governor Reynolds tweeted: "As a mother, grandmother, and American, I can't sit on the sidelines. Ron DeSantis is the person who will fight for you. Who will have the moral conviction to do what's right & the ability to actually do what he promises. His record proves that. He has my full endorsement!"

Watch her speech and read more here.

Here's what they are saying about this historic endorsement:

Marlin Bontarger, Kalona voter: "She (Reynolds) is doing it, I believe, for the sake of the next generation. And I believe we are at a critical point in our nation right now."

Dave Price, Gray TV: @IAGovernor endorsement of @GovRonDeSantis could be most significant in Iowa in decades. Reynolds initially said she'd remain neutral (as Iowa govs almost always do).

Tom Barton, Cedar Rapids Gazette: .@NBCNews reporting @KimReynoldsIA will endorse Ron DeSantis at a Des Moines rally on Monday. Trump campaign responds with statement that begins: "Kim Reynolds apparently has begun her retirement tour early as she clearly does not have any ambition for higher office." #iacaucus

Bob Vander Plaats, The Family Leader: If true,by @DashaBurns is significant. @IAGovernor is without question Iowa's most popular Governor in generations. Combine her popularity with her campaign tenacity and she will be a force for @GovRonDeSantis. #ChooseWell2024

Iowa State Representative Taylor Collins: This will make a significant impact on this race. I mean we're talking about a very popular governor here in Iowa. Iowans love Kim Reynolds. And if you look at the caucus-goers, likely caucus-goers, 90% of those Republicans are supportive of Kim Reynolds. I think this is going to really shake up the race and really be a good night for Ron DeSantis.

Dr. Cody Hoefert, Former Iow GOP Co-Chair: I will say I think @RonDeSantis and @KimReynoldsIA would be a natural endorsement fit based on policy. Let's look at where they agree. #DeSantis2024 #iacaucus: 6 week abortion ban (trump said was terrible), school choice, parental bill of rights, opening schools, opposing masks, opposing Fauci (while Trump gave him Presidential medal and encouraged them to close down), tax reform, protecting women in sports (When @realDonaldTrump was asked what a women was he didn't answer and got a sheepish grin.....you know the grin where I know what I believe doesn't match what I have to say.), taking pornography out of schools, standing up to woke corporate interests, sent resources to the border to protect and defend our sovereignty due to the gaps in the wall that Mexico was going to pay for but never did (because for Trump it was a say anything to get elected campaign slogan) I could go on......

Erick Erickson, The Erick Erickson Show: If she puts her machine fully in the game (she will), this tamps down Haley's upward mobility in the race and shuts down Tim Scott.

Steve Deace, The Steve Deace Show: As I've said since the year began, this is the first time in decades the endorsement of a statewide GOP official will have real credibility with the grassroots that dominates the caucus turnout. What can Kim provide organizationally? Last cycle she took out several Republican legislators in primaries who wouldn't sign off on school choice, including the sitting education committee chair, in an unprecedented show of force.

Joel Rosenberg, The Roseberg Report: This is a BIG deal. Almost guarantees @GovRonDeSantis wins Iowa. Yes, Governor @KimReynoldsIA is THAT popular, especially with grassroots Evangelical voters. // @bobvanderplaats @SteveDeaceShow

Josh Holmes, The Ruthless Podcast: Biggest endorsement of the cycle by a long shot. We'll find out what it means but a big boost for Desantis camp going into this week's debate.

Frank Luntz, Pollster: Worth noting that Kim Reynolds has a higher favorability rating (81%) among Iowa's Republican voters than Donald Trump (66%).

Stuart Rothenberg, Inside Elections: No reason to believe a Reynolds endorsement of DeSantis will have much of an impact on the GOP race. Iowa voters see the candidates frequently and can make their own decisions.,

John Cardillo: Game changer in Iowa

Guy Benson, The Guy Benson Show: Sources familiar confirming to me that this is legit. Rally tomorrow evening. Interesting decision - shows how strongly she feels. Safer play is to look at the polling and stay out, at least formally. But she's going in.

Clay Travis, Outkick: I think it is a big deal that she has come off the sidelines and endorsed because I think it basically guarantees DeSantis the second position. Can he make a run to try to take down Trump number one overall? That remains to be seen ... Turnout I would say in Iowa matters more than almost anywhere and that comes down to organization and so this I do believe is significant. I also think it's important in the context of if Kim Reynolds didn't think that Ron DeSantis had a chance to win in Iowa, I don't think she would lend her name to him.

Byron York, Washington Examiner:: From @NBCNews: 'Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to endorse Ron DeSantis for president.' Reynolds had said she would remain neutral during caucus campaign.

Jason Rantz, Jason Rantz Show: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on why she's breaking with the Iowa tradition of staying neutral during the primaries and endorsing Ron DeSantis: "I just felt like I couldn't sit on the sidelines any longer. We have too much at stake. I truly believe that he is the right person to get this country back on track. ... I don't base my decision on polls. I take a look at who I believe is the right person for the right job. I believe that Ron is the right person for the right job. And I believe he's going to win."

Maggie Haberman, New York Times:: If you read this story back in July, you would not be surprised Reynolds ultimately did what she has seemed to want to do for some time

Garrett Haake, NBC: A potentially significant boost here for DeSantis, at a time and place where he badly needs it, after slipping in state & national polling for weeks.

Daily Wire: Iowa Governor Reynolds Endorses DeSantis For President: 'He's The Person We Need Leading This Country'

Daily Caller: 'I Believe He Can't Win': Iowa Governor Talks Trump Polls, Calls For 'Effective Leader' In 2024

Breitbart: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Formally Endorses Ron DeSantis: He 'Puts This Country First and Not Himself'

Messenger: Kim Reynolds Endorses DeSantis at Iowa Rally Following Trump Attack: 'We Need Someone Who Won't Get Distracted!'

CBS: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds endorses Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over Trump: "We need someone who can win"

CNN: Gov. Reynolds endorses DeSantis, shaking up Iowa two months before caucuses

Daily Mail: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says she doesn't think Trump CAN WIN against Biden as she throws her endorsement behind Ron DeSantis to help 'reverse the madness' happening across the country

New York Times: DeSantis Lands a Big Endorsement: Kim Reynolds, Iowa's Popular Governor

Des Moines Register: Gov. Kim Reynolds endorses Ron DeSantis, says US can't gamble on another Trump candidacy

KCCI: It's official: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds endorses Ron DeSantis for president

WHO13: Iowa voters react to Gov. Reynolds' endorsement of DeSantis for president

Daily Wire: 'An Enormous Win': Popular Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds To Endorse Ron DeSantis For President: Report

Messenger: Iowa's Gov. Reynolds Gives DeSantis a Boost: 'He Should Have a Good November'

New York Times: Kim Reynolds, Iowa's Influential Governor, Expected to Endorse DeSantis

Florida Politics: Iowa boost for Ron DeSantis, as Kim Reynolds reportedly set to endorse him

Spectator: Why the Kim Reynolds endorsement of Ron DeSantis matters

Dasha Burns, NBC: "This is perhaps the only endorsement that could actually move the needle in the state whose results could set the narrative for the rest of the primaries. Reynolds is wildly popular with Republican voters here and her support could give DeSantis some much needed momentum in Iowa where his campaign has gone all in."

Bryan Llenas, Fox News: "The DeSantis campaign feels like they have former President Trump on the defensive in Iowa the Florida Governor has moved a third of his staff to Iowa. Plus, he's visited 87 of the 99 counties in Iowa so far now add in the expected endorsement by Republican Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds tonight and you can see why the campaign feels like they can actually upset Trump in the Iowa caucuses. Now, Reynolds is a popular two term governor winning reelection by 19 points. She initially said she was going to stay neutral in the race, but two weeks ago signaled she would endorse but she's because she says this election is too important."

Bret Baier, Fox News: "Governor Reynolds is popular in Iowa, she also has a big political machine, so that could give some support for Ron DeSantis."

Lauren SImonetti, Fox Business: "Can it make DeSantis' career however? Traditionally the Iowa governor stays neutral before the first-in-the-nation caucus, she's going all in on DeSantis."

Bryan Llenas, Fox News: "Now according to the campaign, Iowa's popular and very influential Republican Governor Kim Reynolds will endorse DeSantis at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa tomorrow. That is a key endorsement for him. We'll see if it makes any difference as those Iowa caucuses are just around the corner."

Stacey Horst, KCCI: "Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has officially endorsed Republican White House hopeful Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. It's a historic move."

Dana Searles, WOI: "Governor DeSantis officially has Governor Reynolds' endorsement, and Governor Reynolds says that we need someone that will put this country first and not himself. And she says that leader is Ron DeSantis. No top elected official in Iowa has endorsed a presidential candidate since 1996."