DeSantis Autographs Bible, Pence Rides Motorcycle at Iowa’s ‘Roast and Ride’ Event

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As the smell of sliced pork filled the air, leather-clad political figures made their statements, while political merchandise stacks overflowed. Eight aspiring Republican presidential candidates descended on Iowa, aiming to win voters over, while Mike Pence chose to mount a motorcycle. Pence, the ex-Vice President, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis were among the potential White House candidates present at a rally held near Des Moines at the state fairgrounds, organized by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst.

Ernst’s annual “Roast and Ride” political event combines a BBQ-rally and a motorcycle ride, marking the start of a hectic summer campaigning season ahead of the state’s early caucuses next year. Notably absent from this gathering was former President Donald Trump, the leading GOP presidential candidate, who has generally been avoiding sharing platforms with his potential 2024 rivals after spending two days in the state last week.

With his family by his side, DeSantis interacted with voters, offered autographs, and even signed a man’s Bible, who thanked him for his defiance against Disney. DeSantis recently concluded his initial week as an official candidate with a series of campaign stops in three early-voting states.

His wife, Casey DeSantis, sported a black leather jacket with “Where Woke Goes to Die” and a Florida map imprint, evoking comparisons to former first lady Melania Trump’s famous jacket-message in 2018.

Pence was the sole presidential candidate to join a charity motorcycle ride that morning, a staple of Ernst’s annual event. Donning jeans, boots, and a leather vest with military-supportive patches, the former Indiana governor hinted at an imminent campaign launch in Des Moines next week.

Several other candidates, including ex-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Michigan entrepreneur Perry Johnson, writer Vivek Ramaswamy, and conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, spoke at the event, with their speeches carefully avoiding any explicit mention of the ex-president.

Amid their speeches, they critiqued Biden, pledged stringent China and U.S.-Mexico border policies, and promised restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming policies. The event was reminiscent of a grand political fair, with around a thousand attendees and campaigns offering a variety of political memorabilia.

The site was packed with Harley Davidson motorcycles, campaign buses, and even a mechanical bull styled as a motorcycle, all sponsored by the political super PAC Never Back Down, which supports DeSantis.

Attendees like Marie Andres and Jill Villalobos shared their support for DeSantis and Scott, respectively, while Victoria Ortiz expressed interest in learning more about the candidates. The senator and Governor Kim Reynolds are among the most popular Republican officials in the early stages of Iowa’s leadoff caucuses. Ernst, however, has promised neutrality and refrained from endorsing anyone during the caucus campaign.

Contributions to this report were made by Big Big News writer Jill Colvin from New York, with Price reporting from the same location.

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More about Iowa ‘Roast and Ride’ Event

• Roast and Ride Event
• Ron DeSantis’ Official Campaign Website
• Mike Pence’s Official Profile
• More on Former President Donald Trump’s political activities
• Joni Ernst’s Official Senate Page
• Details about the Early Caucuses in Iowa