“Iowa Is Not Supposed To Pick the Next President”: Republican Contenders Attempt To Take Down Trump in Iowa

Cynthia PaulNov 29, 2023

Minute Read

The Iowa caucus, the first Republican primary in 2024, is less than two months away, and the majority of the surviving presidential contenders have been concentrating more of their attention, resources, personnel, and time in the state.

Trump Remains the Frontrunner Despite Legal Setbacks

With one major exception—Donald Trump, who leads the field in polls despite a litany of legal issues, all of which he disputes—the other contenders must demonstrate that GOP voters choose someone else to be their nominee.

Iowa Is Not Supposed to Pick the Next President

Although Iowa Republican Chairman Jeff Kaufmann recently declared, “Iowa is not supposed to pick the next president,” the caucuses and the primary in New Hampshire have historically drawn disproportionate attention from the public and media because they provide an early glimpse at the candidates that voters will support for the presidency.

Faith in God, Freedom, and Each Other

With a platform of “faith in God, freedom, and each other,” Texas pastor Ryan Binkley became the first contender to complete this cycle’s “Full Grassley Tour,” which honors Iowa’s senior senator by visiting all 99 of the state’s counties, according to his campaign.

Nobody Really Knows Who I Am Just Yet

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Despite his early-race presence in Iowa, Binkley told ABC News in October that he still faces challenges due to a lack of name recognition. Six months into his presidential campaign, Binkley declared, “Nobody really knows who I am just yet.” “And so now it’s time for us to start sharing the message all the more.”

Doug Burgum Not Dropping Out Anytime Soon

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Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota says he is not quitting the race anytime soon, telling ABC News last week that he is still encouraged, despite the fact that he was disqualified from the most recent primary debate due to a standstill in his fundraising and polling figures.

We’re Getting Great Reception and Great Encouragement

Burgum asserted that “we’re getting great reception and great encouragement, specifically from voters in Iowa and New Hampshire that are saying, ‘Thank you for respecting us as the voters.’” Burgum has concentrated on the economy, energy, and national security.

Christie Doesn’t Pay Iowa a Single Visit

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The sole contender who is adamantly opposed to Trump, former governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, has not visited Iowa once this election year. Rather, he has decided to concentrate on New Hampshire in advance of the state’s primary on January 23.

DeSantis Earns Yet Another Endorsement

On November 6, among all the contenders who have visited Iowa in recent months, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was the one who was able to obtain Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ support. Additionally, Iowa Christian leader Bob Vander Plaats, head of the Family Leader, gave DeSantis another endorsement on Tuesday.

DeSantis’ Poll Numbers See a Decline

Given DeSantis’s appeal among the base, the governor began the primary earlier this year as possibly Trump’s strongest opponent. However, since then, his poll ratings have only decreased, albeit a strong showing in Iowa might help change that.

We’re Excited About Being Able to Go Around and Spread the Message

Through events organized by his campaign and the highly engaged DeSantis-aligned super PAC Never Back Down, DeSantis has now visited 98 out of 99 counties in Iowa. He teased a major campaign event around his 99th county by saying, “We’re excited about being able to go around and spread the message,” to a group of voters in Plainfield, Iowa.

Nikki Haley Draws Some Notable Support

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Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the United Nations, has garnered significant support for her candidacy despite only having roughly thirty events throughout the state. Longtime GOP operative Marlys Popma, who advised McCain during his 2008 presidential campaign, backed her on Friday.

Momentum Is Real

Haley’s numbers have been increasing in the state, according to 538’s polling average, and she is almost tied with DeSantis for second place. Trump has a more than 25% advantage over both. Last week, Haley stated on Fox News that her “momentum is real.”

We’re Not Going to Give Up on Iowa

“We’re going to keep working hard to earn every Iowans vote. We’re not going to give up on Iowa, we’re going to fight hard for New Hampshire. We’re gonna fight hard for South Carolina and then we’re going to keep on going,” she declared.

Asa Hutchinson’s Campaign Commits to Keep Moving Forward

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Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas, committed to continue his campaign even after it was eliminated from the second and third debate rounds by hosting over a dozen events in Iowa this past week.

This Widens My Lane

He set a goal for himself to increase his polling numbers to 4% in an early state by Thanksgiving, but he hasn’t yet met it. “Other major candidates have dropped out and the field has narrowed. This widens my lane and changes the dynamics of the race,” he said in a statement provided on Wednesday to ABC News.

Everybody Else Is Just Slinging Mud at Each Other Right Now

Earlier this month, he discussed his plan to attempt to get additional support in Iowa in an interview with NBC News. “That is important to be able to combine your retail politics, the message that you have, with some positive media ads which will distinguish yourself because everybody else is just slinging mud at each other right now,” he stated.

Ramaswamy to Hold 200 More Events in Iowa Over Coming Weeks

According to his campaign, businessman and pundit Vivek Ramaswamy has hosted more than 150 events in the state so far. He wants to host 200 more in the upcoming weeks as he moves from Ohio with his family and staff to establish a stronger presence in the state. On Saturday, his spouse, Dr. Apoorva Ramaswamy, hosted her first solo function in the state.

Ramaswamy Dubbed ”Trump Without the Distractions”

Vivek Ramaswamy is being marketed by Iowans as “Trump without the distractions.” Voters like Denise Asberry, who told ABC News she was disgusted with the political process and dissuaded from voting entirely after casting her support for Trump, appear to be responding well to this message. But Asberry told Ramaswamy, through tears, at a Corning campaign event, that he “inspired [her] to vote.”

Ramaswamy Is ”Going to Put His Money Where His Mouth Is”

Ramaswamy told reporters he was “going to put [his] money where his [mouth] is” in reference to larger ad buys in the state to reach a larger audience after a poll of likely caucus attendees from The Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom in late October tied him at 4%, tied with Christie who hasn’t set foot in Iowa this cycle.

Trump Campaign Is Confident in Iowa Win

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The Trump team is sure that the former president will win Iowa, so they aren’t spending much time in the state actively campaigning but are still making periodic trips to host “Commit to Caucus” events.

Trump Fans May Show Up to Caucus Sites in January

Trump’s team seems to be more concerned with making sure his supporters show up at caucus locations in January than with gaining support since he currently leads in the state’s polls by a wide margin.

Trump Urges Voters to Send a “Great Signal” to Remaining Republican Primary Field

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Speaking in Fort Dodge on Saturday, Trump commemorated his 14th visit to the state this cycle by pushing supporters to caucus for him in order to send a “great signal” to the other contenders in the Republican primary to withdraw.