A fixture in Iowa politics is about to step away.
Governor Kim Reynolds, who has had a rather turbulent relationship with Donald Trump, has announced that she will not be running for re-election in the next cycle.
The problems started during the 2024 election cycle for Governor Reynolds after she announced that she would be supporting Governor Ron DeSantis over Donald Trump in the general election.
Trump has always done well in Iowa, and while he had the backing of most other politicians in the election, Reynolds bucked the trend and went with DeSantis.
In announcing her endorsement of DeSantis, she stated that our country needs “someone who calls out our moral decline for what it is, who looks to the future and not the past, someone who, most importantly, can win.
“That person is Ron DeSantis. And that’s why I am so proud to stand here tonight and give him my full support and endorsement for president of the United States of America.”
The one problem I have always had with Trump is that when someone does not bow down, he goes after their throat, regardless of what they have done for him prior or how they have supported him.
And when Trump puts that target on their head, regardless of how good they have been for the party or for the conservative movement, they are pretty much done when MAGA goes after them.
After Reynolds endorsed DeSantis, Trump went after her hard, stating, “Two extremely disloyal people getting together is, however, a very beautiful thing to watch. They can now remain loyal to each other because nobody else wants them!!!”
That was completely unfair, as Reynolds had always supported Trump’s agenda, as has DeSantis, and both still do even though they both had every reason to turn away from Trump. It was childish, in my opinion, but that comment by Trump changed everything for both of them.
Reynolds would likely still have won had she run for re-election in 2026, unless Trump decided to exact more revenge against her and have someone primary her.
I have no idea if the uncertainty is why she decided to step down, but she has, announcing, "Today, I want to share a personal decision with you; one that was not made lightly, but comes with a full heart and a deep sense of gratitude. After a lot of thought, prayer, and conversations with my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in 2026.”
At 65, Reynolds may still have a few years left in the tank politically, but it sounded like she has decided to pack it in, adding, "This public service has been an incredible journey — one I wouldn’t trade for anything, but as Iowans know, family is everything. Through the years, my parents and my husband Kevin, our daughters, and our grandchildren have stood by my side, supporting me through every challenge and every victory. Now, it’s time for me to be there for them."
Reynolds has been an exceptional governor for Iowa, as it is tough to find anyone who has a bad word to say about her except for Donald Trump. I wish her the best in whatever she decides to do. Now I am just curious if Trump will bury the hatchet as she leaves office because she is still adamant about supporting his agenda.
