Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds surprised the political world on Friday by announcing that she would not pursue reelection to a third full term, kicking off a scramble to succeed her. The Republican’s decision came just one day after Morning Consult released a report that named her the nation’s most unpopular governor for a fifth straight quarter — and the only one with an approval rating underwater.
Reynolds’ poor image in Iowa has been fueled by an onslaught of ire from all sides. Shortly after winning reelection in 2022, the governor signed into law a strict abortion bill that bans the procedure as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected. That alienated Democrats and many independents, and her recent push to ban gender identity from the state’s civil rights statutes only rubbed salt in the wound.
Meanwhile, supporters of President Donald Trump remain livid over her endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign, which Trump said at the time would mark “the end of her political career.” She’s also faced criticism from voters of all stripes for her handling
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