Ramaswamy Picks Up Key Endorsement In Iowa

Republican presidential candidate, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, has become the first GOP candidate to pick up a presidential endorsement in the key early primary state of Iowa.

• The endorsement, from Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith, enhances Ramaswamy's profile as a credible outsider candidate ahead of the first Republican primary debate on Wednesday.
• With Trump expected to skip Republican presidential debates, Ramaswamy could further increase his national profile this week and may unseat Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) as the preferred second choice candidate for Republican voters.
• Smith said: "As the Treasurer of Iowa, my top concern is economic prosperity. Vivek is the candidate to unleash the American economy and resuscitate American excellence... We need a president who deeply understands these issues in order to combat them, protect capitalism, and revive our nation. I am proud to endorse Vivek Ramaswamy for President."
• The endorsement is the first non-Trump endorsement since July 24 when Nevada Comptroller Andy Matthews endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
• Former President Donald Trump remains the overwhelming leader in endorsements, with a weighted score of 335 points on the FiveThirtyEight endorsement tracker.