The Sioux City Journal's editorial board Saturday, two days ahead of Monday's Iowa caucuses, announced its endorsement of Ron DeSantis for president, saying that the Florida governor represents the Republican Party's best shot at regaining the White House.
"Through it all, DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have made the most compelling cases to choose someone other than former President Donald Trump for the job," the newspaper board said, adding that Trump does have a large following in the state but carries "too much baggage, too many uncertainties" for voters to put him back in the White House.
"Trump had the opportunity and didn't finish the job," the editors said. "He also has countless legal problems, which are major distractions. As challengers like to point out, we don't need more chaos in government. A second Trump era would ensure it."
But while Haley is more moderate, DeSantis is a "better choice" to bring former Trump voters to vote, as he "supports many of the same policies" as the former president.
"We believe DeSantis is most in line with Iowa Republicans," the newspaper said. "He has the endorsement of Gov. Kim Reynolds and shares her views about education, abortion, and border security."
Haley's stances on the issues, though, are softer and would "play better" with Democrats, the board noted. And if she turns out to face President Joe Biden this fall, she'd give Democrats a reason to think twice about returning Biden to a second term.
But DeSantis is the better caucus choice, the editors argued, as he plays "the Republican cards."
Questions remain about whether DeSantis can attract enough independent voters or campaign well in other early-voting states, the editors acknowledged, saying that the "smart money" rides on Trump winning the Iowa caucuses. But they still called on Iowans to pick DeSantis, as he "speaks their language."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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