Two high-profile Iowa Republicans endorse Ron DeSantis in 2024 Iowa caucuses
by Two high-profile Iowa Republicans — Senate President Amy Sinclair and House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl — are endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ potential presidential bid as he returns to the state this weekend ahead of a likely presidential run.
DeSantis is scheduled to hold a pair of events Saturday in Sioux Center and Cedar Rapids — the same day former President Donald Trump is set to appear at a rally in Des Moines.
More:Trump, DeSantis hold events Saturday in Iowa. What you need to know to go
Trump and DeSantis are on a potential collision course in the first-in-the-nation caucus state, which could have a more important role than ever in helping determine the course of the Republican presidential primary as Trump opponents hope to coalesce around a viable alternative.
The endorsement from two well-known, deeply conservative Iowa Republicans underscores the desire among many in the GOP to move on from Trump, even as he continues to claim a firm grasp on a sizeable chunk of the Republican base.
Senate President Amy Sinclair says Ron DeSantis ‘head and shoulders’ above presidential contenders
Sinclair and Windschitl both serve as the No. 2 in command of their respective legislative chambers.
Sinclair is the top Republican woman in the Iowa Legislature and has been a leading voice advocating for conservative education and abortion policies.
In an interview, she said DeSantis stands “head and shoulders” above the rest of the field, and called the choice “an easy endorsement for me.”
Sinclair cited DeSantis’ work on lowering taxes, emphasizing parental rights and easing regulations, saying those same values mirror the work she’s done in the Legislature and appeal to Iowans in her district.
“He’s put them into play in Florida,” she said. “He’s proven that he can do this work. He’s proven that he can get reelected and can continue to do that work even in the face of opposition. And I can’t think of a better person to serve as our president and really, honestly move America forward.
More:Iowa’s 50 Most Wanted: These Republicans will help shape the 2024 presidential caucuses
House Majority leader Matt Windschitl endorses Ron DeSantis as a leader ‘looking forward,’ not backward
Windschitl is a Marine veteran and passionate advocate for the Second Amendment who has cachet in the deeply conservative district he represents in the far western part of the state.
“We need a leader that’s looking forward towards the future, not a leader that’s looking in the rearview mirror and potentially going to be vindictive towards other people,” he said in an interview. “We need somebody that’s accountable to the people that has proven in their state that they can do this job and take that same prosperity and spread it throughout America.”
Trump rolled out a list of Iowa endorsers in March, including former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, former U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, state Sen. Brad Zaun and ten other state legislators — many of whom appeared with him at a rally in Davenport.
But other high-profile Iowa Republicans have pledged to remain neutral in the 2024 caucuses in an effort to show that every candidate can compete on a level playing field.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have all promised not to weigh in ahead of the caucuses, though they said they hope to be helpful to as many candidates as possible.
More:Uniquely powerful, Kim Reynolds could be a caucus kingmaker. Why she won’t play favorites.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.
