Yet Trump faces some vulnerabilities, including a feud with Iowa’s popular governor, Kim Reynolds, over her refusal to formally endorse his campaign. His campaign is bullish on Iowa, banking on his long-standing support in a state he easily carried twice in general elections, combined with an aggressive digital outreach that includes a focus on nontraditional conservative voters. Trump is eagerly embracing the lofty expectations. Scott is making inroads because “he’s doing the real hard work of retail politics in Iowa, doing small groups with pastors and churches and leading to bigger and bigger meetings and venues,” said Mike Demastus, a Des Moines evangelical pastor who has met several times with Scott. Some say Scott is distinguishing himself with an aggressive outreach strategy paired with an upbeat message. The South Carolina senator has impressed many with an agenda that is every bit as conservative as the one offered by Trump or DeSantis.
15.īeyond DeSantis, Tim Scott is being closely scrutinized. Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses are scheduled for Jan. There’s still time for any of the contenders to mount a more robust challenge to Trump - but not a lot. She is publicly neutral in the race but has been slammed by Trump for appearing with DeSantis at campaign events in the state, though she also has appeared with other candidates.
Kim Reynolds, choosing the event to sign the recently passed six-week abortion ban, who received the loudest and most sustained standing ovation when she took the stage.
This is their backyard,” DeSantis said to applause. Trump did not attend, though he has swung through the state multiple times in recent weeks and will return Tuesday.ĭeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy received the most raucous cheers from the packed hall in the downtown Des Moines events center, notably when they argued for a more limited U.S. “But it sure doesn’t look like that to me - it’s become clear that there isn’t room for another alternative to Trump.”ĭeSantis was among six White House hopefuls in Iowa on Friday for the Family Leadership Summit, where an audience of close to 2,000 conservative Christians gathered to see former Fox News host Tucker Carlson interview the candidates individually. It’s possible he may be that still,” said Gentry Collins, a seasoned Iowa and national Republican strategist who ran Mitt Romney’s 2008 caucus campaign. For now, however, he has struggled to generate the enthusiasm that Trump commands from the GOP base, leaving it uncertain he will become the threat to the former president that he was once billed to be. Ron DeSantis, who entered the race in May with expectations that he would quickly become Trump’s top rival. The urgency is particularly acute for Florida Gov. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - As the six-month sprint to the Iowa caucuses begins, the sprawling field of Republican presidential candidates is facing growing pressure to prove they can become serious challengers to former President Donald Trump.
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