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SIOUX CENTER — Standing at the precipice of a likely presidential campaign, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told Iowans Saturday that the GOP must reject a “culture of losing” and embrace a positive vision for the future if they want to win in 2024.
“Both Florida and Iowa show strong leadership and a bold agenda can defeat the left in this country,” he said. “But there’s no substitute for victory. We must reject the culture of losing that’s infected our party in recent years. The time for excuses is over. We’ve got to demonstrate the courage to lead and the strength to win.”
It’s an implicit rebuke of former President Donald Trump, who appears to lead the current 2024 presidential field as a front-runner — even after losing the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden and promoting candidates who lost their 2022 midterm battles.
The comments came as Trump was scheduled to hold a dueling event in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. DeSantis planned another stop in Cedar Rapids, while Trump was scheduled to appear at an evening outdoor rally in Des Moines, but Trump canceled the event, citing possible severe weather. A tornado warning was in effect for Polk County extending to 7 p.m., when he was scheduled to speak.
DeSantis, who is expected to jump into the presidential race imminently, did not discuss Trump by name. But he echoed calls from many Iowa Republicans who say they want to move forward rather than focusing on past grievances.
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“If we make the 2024 election a referendum on Joe Biden and his failures, and we provide a positive alternative … Republicans will win across the board,” DeSantis said. “If we do not do that – if we get distracted, if we focus the election on the past or on other side issues — then I think the Democrats are going to beat us again.”
DeSantis spoke at U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra’s annual picnic fundraiser in Sioux Center. The event was a who’s who of Iowa’s top elected officials, including Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and a bevy of state legislators.
Afterward, he flipped pork burgers with Feenstra and Reynolds, posing for photos from the crowd of assembled press.
Later, he stopped to join a smaller group of supporters and interested Republicans at the Sioux Center Pizza Ranch, where plates of fried chicken and pizza sat mostly untouched as the crowd mingled with the governor, clamoring for selfies and autographs.
Appearing with his wife, Casey, DeSantis spoke briefly to the crowd, saying their family is looking forward to the Iowa State Fair. He also praised another Iowa culinary favorite, Casey’s breakfast pizza.
“These gas stations, that’s a huge deal for us, because we’re stopping, we’re on the road,” DeSantis said. “… I’ll tell you, and I’m a very tough critic on the gas station. Casey’s is legit. That breakfast pizza is legit.”
This is the Florida governor’s second trip to Iowa, and he arrives with a growing apparatus ready to support his likely presidential run.
Never Back Down PAC, the main outside spending organizing boosting his candidacy, parked a branded bus outside the event and coordinated the rollout of about three dozen legislative endorsements. They included the No. 2 in command lawmakers in each chamber: House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl and Senate President Amy Sinclair.
In all, the endorsements represent a diverse cross-section of the Iowa Republican legislative caucus, including members on the far right of the spectrum, as well as moderates, religious conservatives, leaders and rank-and-file members.
State Rep. Steve Holt, a Republican from Denison who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, is among those who endorsed DeSantis.
“I like his military experience, because having spent 20 years in the Marine Corps, I know what kind of leadership skills that creates in folks,” Holt said Saturday while attending the Sioux Center event. “I love what he’s done as the governor of Florida. I’ve loved the things he’s done there. … I think ‘Never Back Down’ is a good campaign slogan for him.”
Holt said DeSantis called him a few days ago after he had decided to make his endorsement, and they spoke about the need to improve the U.S. military. Holt said he was among a small group invited to fly with DeSantis on a private plane between his events in Sioux Center and Cedar Rapids Saturday.
In addition to lining up endorsements, the Never Back Down PAC has also been hiring Republican staffers who would help support a DeSantis run in Iowa. They include Tyler Campbell, a Des Moines consultant, and Ryan Koopmans, a top adviser to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.
According to an NBC News report, DeSantis’ political operation is set to move into a new Florida campaign headquarters — a move that will trigger federal disclosure requirements within 15 days.
DeSantis served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before he was elected governor in 2018 by about 32,400 votes. He defied national trends in 2022 and sailed to re-election by about 1.5 million votes.
According to a March Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, DeSantis was viewed favorably by 74% of Iowa Republicans and unfavorably by 6%. Another 20% were not sure.
Independent Iowans were nearly evenly split on DeSantis, with 35% viewing him favorably, 33% viewing him unfavorably and 32% saying they weren’t sure.
DeSantis has emerged in national polling as the early favorite to challenge Trump.
According to a Real Clear Politics rolling average of national primary polls, Trump leads 53.5% to DeSantis’ 22.2%. No other declared or potential candidate cracks double digits.
In a statement, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart was critical of his appearance.
“No matter who ends up being the GOP nominee, it’s clear MAGA Republicans support the most extreme candidates in our history,” she said. “I’m ready to protect our freedoms, strengthen our democracy and finish the job with President Joe Biden.”
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.
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