Iowa Gov. Reynolds praises DeSantis visiting state’s 99 counties: ‘He’s showing up’

DES MOINES, Iowa (FLV) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds praised Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign efforts in Iowa Thursday.

Reynolds has frequently appeared alongside both the Florida governor and his wife, First Lady Casey DeSantis, both before and after DeSantis announced his bid for president in 2024.

Iowa is the first state to make its voice heard in the 2024 presidential election via the Iowa caucuses.

“I know that he is doing the 99 county tour and he’s showing up in rural Iowa,” Reynolds said on Fox News. “He’s talking to voters. He’s listening to voters. He’s talking about his vision and that’s a really good thing to do.”

“Rick Santorum did it – he was successful in that caucus,” she added. “So, it matters, because Iowans will show up and they want to talk to the candidate, they want to ask the questions.”

“It’s a great thing to do.”

DeSantis has been on a prolonged bus tour with Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting his presidential campaign, though not officially affiliated with it.

While in Iowa, DeSantis has made headlines with his recent political statements, ranging from supporting drone attacks on Mexican drug cartels to sounding off on former President Donald Trump likely not appearing for the first GOP primary debate.

“We will absolutely reserve the right [to drone strike cartels],” DeSantis said in Coraville, Iowa. “If they are invading this country and killing our people, we have the right to defend this country.”

DeSantis has previously defended Reynolds from attacks by the former president.

The Iowa governor will appear both with DeSantis and other primary candidates at the Iowa State Fair this weekend.