.png)
11 months ago
43
The primary sprint has begun with Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley having just seven weeks to convince Iowans to caucus for them instead of former President Donald Trump.
DeSantis and Haley are polling neck-and-neck at second place in Iowa. The first primary state is key for candidates looking to earn early momentum and will hold its caucuses this year on January 15 to kick-off the primary contest. New Hampshire will follow Iowa's caucuses with their primary elections just eight days later.
While Iowa is always critical to narrowing down the presidential primary field, it could also determine whether there is any contest at all this year.
Trump, although embattled in several legal battles, is by far still the far favorite in Iowa, as well as in all the other primary states and is dozens of points ahead in national polling.
Donald Trump is still the far frontrunner in Iowa with just 49 days until caucuses – but that isn't stopping Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley from trying to close their second-place standing with the ex-president. Pictured: Trump speaks at a rally in Fort Dodge, Iowa on November 18
Haley and DeSantis are tied in several polls for second place in Iowa and are spending considerable time in the state key to gaining momentum in the primary race
DeSantis, however, has earned some key endorsements in the Hawkeye State, including from its beloved Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats.
The Florida governor has barnstormed Iowa, making the state a huge focus of his 2024 presidential primary bid and committing early to completing the 'full Grassley' – a reference to longtime Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and campaigning in all 99 counties in the state.
On Saturday, December 2, DeSantis will finish his tour of the state with his final stop in Newton.
'The reality is you need a strong mixture of paid media, candidate presence, and ground game to win an Iowa Caucus, and no one is executing in all three areas better than us as we hit the closing stretch,' DeSantis communications director Andrew Romeo said in a statement on the impressive feat.
Haley has also spent a considerable amount of time in Iowa, though not committing to the full Grassley.
A poll last month showed Haley and DeSantis tied for second place at 16 percent, while Trump was in first with 43 percent. Meanwhile, a separate poll earlier in November also had the two tied at 17 percent with Trump ahead at 44 percent.
Trump, while visiting the state several times during the primary contest, is able to spend less time on the ground while maintaining his considerable lead over the rest of the field.
DeSantis has earned key endorsements in Iowa – including from Iowa's beloved Gov. Kim Reynolds (left). Pictured: DeSantis and Reynolds speak at a press conference in Davenport, Iowa on November 7
DeSantis and Haley are pictured with biotech entrepreneur and fellow 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy during the Family Leader's Thanksgiving Family Forum in Des Moines, Iowa
'DeSantis seems to have the best groundwork going out here but it's nothing compared to what people in the past have had,' Andy Cable, a longtime Republican activist in Hardin County, Iowa, told The New York Times.
'Trump doesn't need the groundwork. His people will just show up. Nikki has come on late but I'm not sure she has the actual organization on the ground to actually do it.'
Beyond Trump, Haley and DeSantis, the other Republican candidates still in the running are author and biotech millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Texas-based businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley.
Never Back Down, the super PAC backing Desantis' candidacy, lost last week its chief executive Chris Jankowski, who said it was 'untenable' for him to help get the Florida governor elected.
DeSantis is debating California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday in a televised event hosted by Fox News and moderated by Sean Hannity. The Florida leader says the debate is important because Newsom could end up on the Democratic ticket in 2024 if President Joe Biden doesn't end up running.
DeSantis has committed to the 'full Grassley' which references longtime Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and campaigning in all 99 counties in the Hawkeye State. Pictured: Ron DeSantis, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis and their three children Madison, 6, Mason, 5, and Mamie, 3, attend a campaign even in Davenport, Iowa on November 7
Haley has garnered momentum following impressive Republican primary debate performances where she has not backed down from attacks from her competitors and has voiced some of her more moderate views – including urging her party not to push for a national abortion ban.
Even with DeSantis' full Grassley and high-profile endorsements in Iowa, it's still unlikely that either he or Haley will catch Trump with just 49 days left until Iowans caucus for their preferred candidate.
New Hampshire is holding on January 23 the first primary election – not to be confused with Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.
But in the Granite State, DeSantis' support has mostly collapsed with one recent poll showering him in fifth place.
New Hampshire's Republican voters are typically more moderate than in Iowa.
English (US)