Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis picked up a key endorsement on Monday from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds—a much-needed boost that could help him in the Iowa caucuses.  

“I just felt like I couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer,” Reynolds said during an NBC News interview. “We have too much at stake. I truly believe that he is the right person to get this country back on track.” 

Later, the two appeared at a campaign rally in Des Moines, where she praised DeSantis as someone who would put the country ahead of himself.

“Not only do we need to make sure we can elect someone who can win and beat Joe Biden, we need a president who has the skill and the resolve to reverse the madness that we see every single day,” Reynolds said. “We need someone who will fight for you and win for you. We need someone who won’t get distracted but will stay disciplined who puts this country first and not himself. That leader… that leader… that leader is Ron DeSantis.” 

Before the endorsement, Mr. Trump repeatedly criticized Ms. Reynolds, who had joined Mr. DeSantis at campaign events around Iowa, for her perceived disloyalty. Those personal attacks had outraged the Iowa governor. She had previously said she would stay neutral during the caucuses, as is traditional for sitting governors in the state.