Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is extending an invitation to all Republican presidential candidates to participate in "Fair-Side Chats" at the upcoming Iowa State Fair. These one-on-one interviews aim to provide fairgoers with a more personal look at the candidates, going beyond standard campaign talking points.

The Iowa State Fair, a major political draw, takes place August 10-20 in Des Moines. Governor Reynolds' chats will be held at JR’s South Pork Ranch and will be accessible to both attendees and the press. The governor emphasized the importance of this opportunity for candidates to connect directly with Iowans just six months before the Iowa Caucuses, scheduled for January 15.

The Reynolds campaign has confirmed invitations have been extended to all active Republican candidates, including frontrunner, former President Donald Trump. This invitation comes despite recent criticism from Trump regarding Reynolds' neutrality in the race. The former president previously endorsed Reynolds during her gubernatorial campaigns, and he recently expressed disapproval of her neutral stance via social media.

Despite Trump's remarks, Reynolds maintains her commitment to impartiality, following a tradition set by previous Iowa governors. She has appeared with other candidates, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who currently holds the second position in polling data. While some Trump advisors have reportedly expressed concern over Reynolds' interactions with other candidates, sources within the Trump campaign indicate they are not worried, citing Trump's strong lead in Iowa polls.