Dem
51
GOP
49
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is holding a rally in Iowa today and governor Kim Reynolds (R-IA) is expected to endorse him at it. This might give his flagging campaign a boost. It is really crucial for him to come in second in Iowa. If he comes in third behind Nikki Haley, it will be tough to right the ship. If she beats him in Iowa and New Hampshire, he's finished and she will be the alternative to Trump.
Reynolds has a sizable fan base in Iowa, but many Iowans take great pride in how carefully they personally sniff the candidates, often multiple times, and make their own decisions. Voters who are paying a lot of attention and who have met all the candidates multiple times are less likely to be swayed by any endorsement than voters who aren't paying attention. No doubt Reynolds will do what she can for DeSantis, but it might not matter that much.
We have to credit Reynolds with one thing: She has guts. Prior to the announcement, she was a plausible veep candidate on a Trump ticket. Post announcement she is not. Of course, she will instantly become a plausible veep candidate on a DeSantis ticket, but that can only come to fruition if DeSantis is the nominee. If Trump wants a woman, the set of possibilities is small. Kari Lake is running for the Senate, Gov. Kristi Noem (R-ND) is apparently in bed with Corey Lewandowski regularly, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) might refuse because she has a toddler at home and might not want to risk being branded a loser if the ticket goes down. Waiting to become speaker is a better bet for her. Now that Reynolds is out, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who seems to be gunning for the slot, may see her star rising. (V)