Trump’s Presence Felt at Iowa 2024 Event, Even from a Distance

Picture this: the Horizon Event Center outside Des Moines, Iowa, was packed on the evening of April 22. And it’s no surprise why. With many months still to go before the Hawkeye State holds its first-in-the-nation Republican presidential primary, likely and confirmed contenders for 2024 flocked to the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s 2023 Spring kick-off. They were hoping to show evangelical Christians and other religious conservatives that they care.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), entrepreneurs Vivek Ramaswamy and Perry Johnson, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and radio host Larry Elder were among the men and women who took the stage.

But the crowd’s response to former President Donald J. Trump, who appeared via video, showed just how much ground Trump’s rivals have to cover, even in a setting where the thrice-married former president’s less-than-pious reputation has been presented as a big handicap by the legacy media.

One attendee, Lynn Vogel Flessas, was decked out in red, complete with a “Keep America Great” cowboy hat and a glittering, gun-shaped purse. She believes energy independence for the United States was Trump’s greatest accomplishment and hopes he stays strong. “Everyone in my circle loves him,” she said.

Leanne Pellett, who was manning the booth for the Iowa Wildlife Foundation, thinks Trump would be the choice “if he keeps his mouth in control.” Lisa Schneider, the wife of former Iowa Senate President Charles Schneider, wants a candidate who could “bring us back pre-COVID pandemic, where things were really going in the right direction.” Gloria Mazza, who chairs the Polk County GOP, said she’s heard from people who like Trump as well as those who’d prefer a different candidate.

The Trump Legacy

The Trump legacy colored remarks from speakers seeking to court the GOP’s more religious and conservative wing–a wing that has historically played a big role in the Hawkeye State. In 2012, for example, the conservative Catholic Rick Santorum won the Iowa caucus.

Businessman Perry Johnson, another 2024 hopeful, warned half-jokingly that he could be too conservative for the crowd. He also stressed his disagreement with Pence over Ukraine. “I think it’s ridiculous to send $100 billion to Ukraine when we’re going broke,” he said, drawing cheers and applause from the audience. He also criticized Trump’s main rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, for not appearing at the event, calling it a “huge mistake.”

Pence commented obliquely on DeSantis’ absence when questioned on it by reporters. “I think the people of Iowa appreciate it when they see you,” he said.