Trump and DeSantis will hold dueling campaign events in Iowa with the caucuses just six weeks away

Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are set to engage in simultaneous campaign events in Iowa, a crucial battleground with just six weeks remaining until the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses. DeSantis, the Florida governor, aims to fulfill his campaign pledge of visiting all 99 counties in Iowa, a traditional strategy employed by presidential candidates seeking to establish a strong presence in the state. This approach involves engaging with voters at diners, cookouts, and local establishments like Pizza Ranches.

However, DeSantis’ campaign efforts are inevitably overshadowed by the looming influence of former President Donald Trump. At the same time that DeSantis is scheduled to take the stage in Newton, Iowa, Trump will be addressing an enthusiastic crowd approximately 100 miles away in Cedar Rapids.

DeSantis has placed considerable importance on winning in Iowa, securing key endorsements from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and prominent evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats. He has expressed unwavering confidence in his ability to win the Iowa caucuses.

In contrast, Trump maintains a commanding lead in national and early-state polls and has conducted extensive rallies and activities to mobilize caucusgoers throughout the autumn. Additionally, DeSantis faces internal challenges within his political operation, with two key officials departing from the major super PAC supporting his campaign. He is also confronted by a growing challenge from former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has been surging in early-state polls and gained the support of Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of the influential Koch network.

Trump’s campaign has announced plans to hold two events on Saturday, encouraging his supporters to commit to caucusing for him, with the first event in the Des Moines area and the second in Cedar Rapids. The timing of Trump’s Cedar Rapids event coincides with DeSantis’ 99th county celebration, a fact Trump’s campaign has dismissed as coincidental. They even likened DeSantis to a relatively unknown GOP presidential candidate, Ryan Binkley, who claimed to have visited all 99 counties in Iowa.

Despite the challenges, Governor Reynolds, who will join DeSantis in Jasper County on Saturday, believes that DeSantis still has the opportunity to narrow Trump’s lead. She commended DeSantis as a staunch conservative who brings stability to the table without the drama often associated with politics. Reynolds also pointed out that Iowans tend to make their decisions late in the race, indicating that DeSantis is gaining momentum.

DeSantis’ advisors contend that visiting every county in Iowa showcases his commitment to reaching voters across the state, enabling him to garner crucial support from rural areas while illustrating his dedication to all corners of Iowa.

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More about Presidential Campaigns

• Iowa Caucuses – Wikipedia
• Ron DeSantis – Official Website
• Donald Trump – Official Website
• Nikki Haley – Official Website
• Kim Reynolds – Governor of Iowa
• Bob Vander Plaats – The Family Leader
• Americans for Prosperity – Official Website
• Iowa County Map