Trump slams Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, releases ad of her past praise

Former President Donald Trump's campaign launched a six-figure ad buy in Iowa with six weeks to go until the first-in-the-nation Iowa Republican caucuses on Jan. 15.

The ads come as the Republican presidential front-runner ramps up his appearances and his campaign’s caucus turnout effort in Iowa as he looks to solidify his lead over the 2024 GOP field and fend off his rivals in the state that will kick off the presidential nominating contest.

One of the ads touts Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' past praise of Trump. The TV spot features a montage of Reynolds applauding Trump and his administration's policies at previous rallies.

🚨 MUST SEE — New Ad from Team Trump: “Thankful”pic.twitter.com/MRvaqAKCNh

— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) December 2, 2023

While Reynolds supported Trump during his previous presidential bids, their relationship has soured after Trump took shots at Reynolds over the summer when she declined to endorse him, originally saying she planned to remain neutral in the caucuses in keeping with a long-standing tradition of Iowa governors.

Trump said he felt Reynolds should have endorsed him after he said he helped her win election in 2018 and 2022.

Those attacks have intensified since Reynolds endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign. Reynolds has said DeSantis is best poised for victory in the general election, a race she doesn’t think Trump can win without attracting voters beyond his base.

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She has noted DeSantis won the 2022 Florida governor’s race by more than 19 percentage points, and “won in demographics that Republicans have never really won in Florida.”

Trump reiterated his disapproval of Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis during a campaign stop Saturday in Ankeny.

“I mean, that was her choice to do this. But I believe in loyalty,” Trump said to loud cheers, according to video of the rally from C-SPAN.

“I don't care if she endorses me or not,” he told the crowd, citing polling showing Trump maintains commanding double-digit leads over the rest of the Republican primary field. “It's not going to make any difference, because the only endorsement that matters is the Trump endorsement.”

Reynolds, in a statement, said she supported Trump, worked with him and agreed with many of his policies.

“And I wish he would have won the 2020 election,” she said. “But now it’s time to say ‘thank you’ and turn the page. Because this is about the next election. About who is the best person to take back the White House from Joe Biden and to lead this country for eight years. That’s Ron DeSantis.”

Doug Burgum suspends presidential campaign

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Republican North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum suspended his presidential campaign Monday.

The move comes after he failed to qualify for the fourth Republican primary debate Wednesday in Alabama. Burgum also failed to make the debate stage last month in Miami.

“The RNC’s clubhouse debate requirements are nationalizing the primary process and taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire,” Burgum said in a statement. “The RNC’s mission is to win elections. It is not their mission to reduce competition and restrict fresh ideas by ‘narrowing the field’ months before the Iowa caucuses or the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary.”

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Burgum said the “arbitrary criteria ensure advantages for candidates from major media markets on the coasts versus America’s Heartland.”

He focused his campaign on the economy; energy, food, border and national security; and warned of China being the “No. 1 threat” to the United States.

“Before we entered the race, the national conversation centered on divisive issues best suited to be solved at the state and local level, and away from the essential, core responsibilities of the President and the executive branch as delegated by the 10th Amendment of our Constitution,” Burgum said. “ … Solving these issues is foundational to every American’s safety and prosperity.”

He emphasized his rural upbringing and small-town roots and his business background as a former software firm CEO and Microsoft executive.

Burgum poured millions of his own dollars into his campaign, but lacked the national name recognition of his primary rivals and failed to raise his profile following his appearances in the first two Republican debates. He was polling at less than 1 percent nationally and 2.7 percent in Iowa, according to rolling averages compiled by RealClearPolitics.

Iowa Federation of Republican Women announces new leadership

Michelle Crawford was elected president of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women and will lead the group starting in January, the group announced Monday.

Elected at the federation’s October convention, Crawford will lead the group of around 600 women for a two-year term. The Eldridge businesswoman was formerly the Scott County Republican Women president.

Amy Meskimen of Eldridge, Denise Bubeck of Grimes, Julie Ulrich of Olin and Jen Dumas of LeClaire were elected to officer positions, the federation said.

Barbara Hames-Bryant, who has led the Iowa Federation of Republican Women since 2020, will serve as immediate past president. She said Crawford is “an energetic and creative leader who will inspire Republican Women and increase our efforts to elect Republicans in 2024 and beyond.”

Ron DeSantis earns new Iowa legislator endorsement

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has picked up a new endorsement from Iowa state Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla.

The Republican lawmaker from Pella endorsed DeSantis after his 99th county rally in Newton, making her the 42nd Iowa lawmaker to endorse DeSantis for president.

🚨 BREAKING: Ron DeSantis earns endorsement from Iowa State Representative Barb Kniff McCulla after completing his 99-county tour.

DeSantis has now been endorsed by 42 state legislators in Iowa, far more than any candidate in the race. pic.twitter.com/mwvcVE9MfH

— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) December 4, 2023

She said in a video message Monday that DeSantis would be able to serve two terms as president, something former President Donald Trump would be prevented from doing.

“Please, everybody, take a look at Ron DeSantis, and make sure we get him as the next president of the United States,” Kniff McCulla said.