Trump launches his fall push in Iowa to lock in his lead before the first Republican caucuses

38

Donald Trump has initiated a campaign push this fall with the goal of solidifying his support among thousands of Republican caucusgoers in Iowa, a crucial early-voting state. The former president faces high expectations as he seeks a White House comeback.

In contrast to some of his 2024 rivals, Trump has campaigned less frequently in Iowa. This visit marks the first of five planned trips to Iowa scheduled through the end of October. These visits aim to convert his significant lead in Iowa polls into committed supporters and volunteers. The overarching strategy is to secure a resounding victory that would disrupt his rivals’ momentum and effectively conclude the primary on caucus day.

During his address to a crowd of over 1,000 people in Maquoketa, Trump expressed confidence in winning the Iowa caucuses in a historic landslide come January 15. He urged those in attendance to support him in the caucuses and encouraged them to bring friends along.

This effort showcases Trump’s campaign team’s commitment to better organizing in Iowa than they did in 2016 when he narrowly finished second to Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Supporters from across northeast Iowa eagerly awaited Trump’s arrival at the Jackson County fairgrounds. His campaign aimed to collect signed cards from attendees pledging their support in the Jan. 15 caucuses. While these cards don’t legally bind voters to a candidate, they provide valuable contact information for campaigns to mobilize voters and recruit volunteers and precinct leaders.

Inside the hall, attendees were offered opportunities to sign up for campaign text messages, and screens displayed the caucus schedule and instructions for participation.

Trump candidly addressed his 2016 loss, attributing it to shortcomings in his previous campaign team’s caucus strategy. He emphasized his desire for victory, stating that he doesn’t like second place.

Maquoketa, a small town in the heart of eastern Iowa, saw a shift from Democratic President Barack Obama to Trump in 2016.

In a subsequent event in Dubuque, Trump criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a frequent target of his, while highlighting his administration’s support for Iowa farmers and efforts to combat illegal immigration.

Before leaving, Trump made a stop at Kathy’s Treehouse Pub and Eatery, where he engaged with supporters, signing items and sharing pizza with the enthusiastic crowd.

Although Trump has made seven visits to Iowa this year, attending policy and political events, he has chosen not to participate in key multicandidate events hosted by influential social conservative groups, a significant bloc in the caucuses.

Despite ramping up his campaign efforts, Trump is holding fewer events in the state than some of his rivals. DeSantis, for example, has committed to visiting all 99 counties in Iowa. Other contenders, including Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy, Mike Pence, and more, have also actively campaigned in the state.

Trump’s team has been busy in his absence, reporting the collection of over 27,500 pledge cards and more than 200,000 voter contacts. However, Trump remains the early front-runner for the Republican nomination, despite facing multiple indictments and numerous criminal charges.

Republican strategist David Kochel, experienced in Iowa and national politics, emphasized Trump’s enduring lead in Iowa. While Trump’s early-state schedule has been less rigorous than in previous campaigns, he has still campaigned more frequently in Iowa than in other early nominating states.

Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, affirmed their commitment to not take anything for granted and to fight for every vote in every event.

One attendee, Tracie Kelly, expressed her support for Trump, particularly noting his appointment of three U.S. Supreme Court justices who played a role in overturning Roe v. Wade, allowing states to enact stricter abortion restrictions. Despite Trump’s reluctance to commit to a national abortion ban, Kelly believes he represents her beliefs.

This campaign push in Iowa demonstrates Trump’s determination to secure a strong position in the race for the Republican nomination, setting the stage for a closely watched political battle in the coming months.

(Note: This paraphrased and completed text maintains a formal and detailed tone, as requested, and refrains from including any personal opinions or non-ASCII characters.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about campaign strategy

More about campaign strategy

• Donald Trump launches Iowa campaign (Associated Press)
• Iowa caucuses (History.com)
• Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign in Iowa (The New York Times)
• Republican rivals in the 2024 primary race (Fox News)
• Roe v. Wade (Oyez)
• 2024 presidential race (Brookings Institution)