Key details about Republicans visiting Iowa this weekend

Iowans Flock to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair

Iowans are flocking to Des Moines this weekend to attend ‌the Iowa ‌State Fair with the hopes of indulging in renowned food, marveling at the famous butter cow,⁣ and hearing from 2024 Republican presidential candidates.

Soapbox and Conversations with‌ GOP Candidates

Almost every GOP candidate will ⁢attend the fair’s soapbox ​hosted by the Des Moines⁤ Register and ⁣engage ⁢in ⁢conversations ‌with ​Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) in a tradition​ that aims to appeal to‌ voters in this key ‍battleground state.

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Here’s everything you need to know about the fair ⁤and its impact on Republican candidates ‌ahead of the 2024 Iowa caucuses.

Trump and DeSantis to Arrive Saturday

Former President Donald Trump⁢ and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), the front-runners ⁤in the GOP presidential race, are set to arrive at the fair on Saturday.

Trump will be pushing boundaries as he heads to the Iowa State Fair. He is bringing along ⁣an entourage of nine Florida Republicans who‍ snubbed DeSantis and endorsed Trump for president.

The former president ⁣will also be entering⁤ Reynolds’s territory just a month after he​ attacked her⁢ on Truth Social, claiming responsibility⁢ for her victory in becoming governor and ⁣criticizing her for not endorsing him. However, he is not on the list to speak⁢ with the ⁤Iowa ⁤governor at her “Fair Side Chats.”

More pressure is⁤ on DeSantis, as the Iowa caucuses in ‌January‌ will be ​crucial for the Florida governor to build momentum. He⁤ is scheduled to join⁣ Reynolds ​for her⁤ conversation series on Saturday.

DeSantis does have one‍ advantage over Trump: a glowing review from Reynolds herself. The Iowa ‍governor praised his ability to connect ⁣with voters and said he is “showing up in rural Iowa.” However, she has not yet ⁤endorsed DeSantis, possibly using this weekend as a baseline for any future endorsements.

Other GOP ⁤Candidates Already Engaging ‍with Voters

Several Republican presidential hopefuls arrived on ​the first day of‌ the fair,⁤ speaking‍ to voters and participating⁢ in‍ the soapbox or conversation series.

Larry⁢ Elder, former Vice President Mike Pence, and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) arrived on ⁣Thursday. Elder kicked off Reynolds’s Fair Side Chats, ⁢positioning himself as a candidate ⁢similar to Trump ⁤but a better​ choice for the White House in 2024 — a common strategy among conservative candidates ‌hoping to appeal to Trump’s voter base.

Pence and Burgum spoke at the political soapbox on Thursday. Pence addressed ⁢his relationship with Trump, responding to a voter who accused him of “committing treason” on Jan. 6. He emphasized ‍that he did his duty that day and will always choose the Constitution. The former vice president will have⁣ a conversation ‌with Reynolds on Friday.

Burgum‌ appealed to⁤ voters​ by highlighting his small-town roots and urging them not ‌to dismiss him despite his low polling numbers.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez will also join Reynolds for her Fair Side Chats and participate in ⁤the soapbox. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will arrive at the fair on Friday. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and ⁣former ​Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will have ​conversations with Reynolds on Aug. 15, and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd ⁢and Ryan Binkley will appear on Aug. 18.

The Iowa State Fair’s Impact on the 2024 Election

The 2024 Republican presidential candidates are putting all their efforts into the ⁢Iowa State Fair,‍ recognizing its ‌significance ​as one of the Republican​ Party’s most important election events.

Trump​ remains the leading candidate nationwide and ‌in Iowa. In the Hawkeye State, Trump⁢ holds 44% support compared to DeSantis at 20%, with all other candidates polling in the single digits.

DeSantis may face another challenge from behind, as Scott has surged to third place in Iowa, gaining 10% since last year. Scott‍ is being closely watched as ‍a viable candidate‌ who could potentially ‌surpass ‍the Florida governor for second place.

However, DeSantis performs⁣ better​ against ⁣Trump in Iowa than any other candidate, earning 35% support compared to Trump’s 48%, with 17% undecided. ‌In ⁢a matchup between Scott and Trump, Trump leads the South Carolina ‍senator ⁢54% ​to 34%, with 12% ​undecided.

Despite Trump being the ​overwhelming favorite in Iowa, the fair ⁢provides an opportunity for candidates to connect with voters one-on-one and ⁢potentially earn endorsements from Iowa senators, representatives, and Reynolds.

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