Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been consistently viewed as the candidate with the best shot of ensuring Trump doesn't win the GOP nomination.

DeSantis himself warns that Trump's candidacy would not only be high risk and low reward, but he'd also be a lame duck on day of getting back into office. To boot, the Florida governor doesn't believe Trump could defeat Biden in 2024 either.

As the GOP primary plays out, various political pundits continue discussing what they perceive as DeSantis' best chance to win the Republican Party's nomination. As it turns out, the outcome of the Iowa caucuses will be critical for the Florida governor.

A make or break?

With the Iowa caucuses coming up, DeSantis is spending quite a bit of time in the state. Fresh off of winning the coveted endorsement from Gov. Kim Reynolds, DeSantis has visited nearly every single one of Iowa's 99 counties.

Various commentators project that having Reynolds' support is a major asset for DeSantis. Not only is the Iowa governor highly popular in her state, but voters likewise feel inclined to listen to her. Reynolds likewise committed to remaining on the campaign trail, urging the folks of her state to back DeSantis.

Right-wing lobbyist Karl Rove now asserts that how things pan out for DeSantis in Iowa will play a pivotal role in his ability to secure the nomination. Earlier today, Rove told Fox News that DeSantis will need to come out on top in Iowa in order to remain a viable candidate.

Many other officials also see DeSantis' performance in Iowa as a bellwether for his outcomes in New Hampshire and other states.

The clock is ticking

The Iowa caucuses are scheduled to begin in mid-January. Between now and then, DeSantis has multiple debates coming up. He also has weeks ahead to make his case to voters, with Reynolds supporting and campaigning for him.

When questioned about her endorsement, the Iowa governor made it clear that she believes DeSantis will win. She pointed to his recent 2022 reelection victory that passed by 20 points. Furthermore, Reynolds remains impressed with DeSantis' ability to bring new voters to the GOP and deliver wins while in office.