Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to begin his first full day of presidential campaigning with a four-stop blitz through Iowa, trying to prioritize personally connecting with voters while proving he has the mettle to take on former President Donald Trump
The Florida governor has appearances in Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Pella and Cedar Rapids, packing in early events in the state whose caucuses kick off the GOP presidential primary voting. From there, he will head to New Hampshire on Thursday and South Carolina on Friday.
Despite only recently formally joining the race, DeSantis has for months been dogged by criticism that he seems halting and uncomfortable when interacting with everyday Americans — despite a stage presence that can be commanding. Kim Riesberg, 59, who attended DeSantis’ campaign kickoff with her husband, said she, too, voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, but is not necessarily committed to him this time around.
At the same time, a pro-Trump super PAC was running ads on Iowa television accusing DeSantis of wanting to raise taxes, an accusation DeSantis has denied. DeSantis, meanwhile, will be back in Iowa on Saturday for an event for 2024 GOP hopefuls hosted by Sen. Joni Ernst. They will be joined by declared candidates including Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, along with former Vice President Mike Pence, who is expected to launch a campaign soon.
“Our country is going in the wrong direction. We can see it and we can feel it,” DeSantis told the crowd in the church auditorium plastered with red, white and blue signs proclaiming a “Great American Comeback.” Hundreds more watched from an overflow room.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DeSantis Kicks Off Campaign In Iowa As He Steps Up Criticism Of TrumpThe Florida governor’s two-day trip to the leadoff caucus state comes after a stumbling online announcement that formalized his entry into the GOP field.
Read more »
DeSantis kicks off presidential campaign in Iowa as he steps up criticism of TrumpRon DeSantis is kicking off his presidential campaign in Iowa at the start of a busy week that will take him to 12 cities in three states as he tests his pitch as the most formidable Republican challenger to former President Donald Trump
Read more »
DeSantis kicks off presidential campaign in Iowa as he steps up criticism of TrumpRon DeSantis is kicking off his presidential campaign in Iowa at the start of a busy week that will take him to 12 cities in three states as he tests his pitch as the most formidable Republican challenger to former President Donald Trump.
Read more »
Trump campaign braces for Iowa battle as DeSantis team sees an openingThe former president faces well-funded resistance and other headwinds in the GOP’s first nominating contest, even as he pulls ahead in national polls.
Read more »
DeSantis kicks off presidential campaign in Iowa as he steps up criticism of TrumpRon DeSantis plans to kick off his presidential campaign in Iowa on Tuesday, the start of a busy week that will take him to 12 cities in three states as he tests his pitch as the most formidable Republican challenger to former President Donald Trump. The Florida governor's two-day trip to the leadoff caucus state — starting at a suburban Des Moines megachurch and ending at a Cedar Rapids racetrack — comes after a stumbling online announcement last week that formalized his long-anticipated entry into the growing Republican field. DeSantis' scheduled Tuesday evening stop at Eternity Church in Clive is a conspicuous nod to the evangelical Christians who wield outsize influence in Iowa's Republican presidential caucuses.
Read more »
DeSantis to attend Joni Ernst's 'Roast and Ride' event in Iowa, Trump still unconfirmedGov RonDeSantis is the latest 2024 Republican candidate to join SenJoniErnst at her annual “Roast and Ride” event in Des Moines, Iowa, this weekend. The June 3 motorcycle ride comes nearly one week after DeSantis launched his presidential campaign.
Read more »