Days away from Tuesday’s primaries, former President Donald Trump is unleashing a salvo of support for major Iowa Republican candidates, endorsing Gov. Kim Reynolds, making official his already announced backing of U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and voicing his approval for two congressional candidates
Reynolds, who began a five-day campaign tour of the state Thursday, acknowledged Trump’s endorsement of her re-election campaign Sunday. “It’s an honor to have his support,” she said.
In a statement on Truth Social, a social media app he launched after being barred from other sites for claims the 2020 election was stolen, Trump called Reynolds a “strong leader and a fantastic governor,” praising her support for Congress’ ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and for defending the Second Amendment.
“A fifth-generation Iowan, Kim is fighting hard to Create Jobs, Cut Taxes, Eliminate Needless Regulations, and Protect the Livelihoods of our Great Farmers and Ethanol Producers,” Trump wrote. “Kim Reynolds is an America First Conservative and she has my Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Trump also endorsed U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents Iowa’s U.S. House District 1 in Congress and is seeking election to the newly redrawn District 2 seat. And he advocated for the re-election of U.S Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa’s 4th House District, calling him an advocate for “Conservative Values.”
None of three face opponents in Tuesday’s primary. But each will have a Democratic opponent in the fall: Deidre DeJear in the governor’s race; Iowa state Sen. Liz Mathis in the District 2 race; and Ryan Melton in the District 4 race.
Also opposing Reynolds will be Libertarian Rick Stewart; Feenstra will face Libertarian Kyle Grossman, Bryan Holder of the Liberty Caucus and independent Ryan O’Leary.