Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is making a strong push into Iowa, recognizing the state’s crucial role in his long-shot effort to defeat former President Donald Trump. DeSantis hopes that a surprise victory in Iowa’s caucuses, the first voting state of the Republican nominating contest, will demonstrate to voters that Trump is beatable and encourage them to rally around DeSantis as the only candidate capable of stopping him.[0]
However, DeSantis’s strategy may face obstacles. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is gaining momentum and has no apparent reason to drop out of the race, potentially splitting the anti-Trump vote.[1] Additionally, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina is expected to have enough funding to stay in the race, further dividing the opposition to Trump.[2]
Despite these challenges, DeSantis is betting big on Iowa.[0] His campaign recently announced a $15 million fundraising haul and plans to relocate a significant portion of its staff from Tallahassee, Florida, to Iowa.[3] The campaign hopes that a strong showing in Iowa will prove to Republican voters that Trump can be defeated.[4]
Campaign manager James Uthmeier expressed confidence in DeSantis’s ability to reverse America’s decline and deliver results. He emphasized that the fundraising haul provides the necessary resources for the fight in Iowa and beyond, and it shuts down the doubters who underestimated DeSantis.[5] The campaign believes that DeSantis is the only candidate who can beat both Trump and President Joe Biden, revive the economy, secure the border, make America energy dominant, and end the weaponization of government.[5]
However, DeSantis’s campaign is facing financial challenges. While they raised $15 million, only $5 million of that is available to spend during the primary season.[6] This puts pressure on the campaign to conserve cash and make strategic spending decisions.
To strengthen his position in Iowa, DeSantis is relocating a third of his campaign staff from Tallahassee to Des Moines.[7] Senior political and communications advisers will be among those moving to Iowa, making it a de facto second headquarters for the campaign. The campaign believes that a strong presence in Iowa is essential for competing in the state’s caucuses, which require extensive organization and manpower.
Despite falling to third place in New Hampshire in a recent poll, DeSantis maintains his second-place standing in Iowa.[8] The campaign is satisfied with a strong second-place showing in Iowa, as long as it demonstrates the ability to compete with Trump, who continues to lead in the polls.[8]
DeSantis faces an uphill battle, as he is currently trailing Trump nationally and in Iowa by significant margins.[4] However, the campaign is confident in its ability to make a comeback. By focusing on Iowa and relocating staff to the state, DeSantis hopes to gain ground and weaken Trump’s dominance.
Overall, DeSantis’s push into Iowa highlights the state’s make-or-break status for his campaign. It remains to be seen whether his efforts will be enough to overcome the formidable challenge posed by Trump and secure the Republican presidential nomination.
0. “DeSantis to meet campaign donors in Miami after announcing $15 million summer cash haul” Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article280129934.html
1. “Trump Announces $45.5 Million Fund-Raising Haul, Tripling DeSantis” The New York Times, 5 Oct. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/us/politics/trump-campaign-fund-raising-desantis.html
2. “DeSantis Gets a $15 Million Cash Infusion and Moves Staff to Iowa” Yahoo News, 4 Oct. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/desantis-gets-15-million-cash-182855679.html
3. “DESANTIS TO MAKE CAMPAIGN STOP IN LE MARS” KSCJ, 4 Oct. 2023, https://kscj.com/2023/10/04/desantis-to-make-campaign-stop-in-le-mars
4. “Ron DeSantis’ money problems deepen ahead of a key stretch in the GOP campaign” NBC News, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ron-desantis-money-problems-deepen-ahead-key-stretch-gop-primary-rcna118820
5. “Ron DeSantis Comeback? Republican Raised Millions in Third Quarter” West Orlando News, 4 Oct. 2023, https://westorlandonews.com/ron-desantis-comeback-republican-raised-millions-in-third-quarter
6. “DeSantis relocating a third of staff to Iowa after $15 million quarterly haul” Colorado Springs Gazette, 4 Oct. 2023, https://gazette.com/news/wex/desantis-relocating-a-third-of-staff-to-iowa-after-15-million-quarterly-haul/article_5fdc490d-7a3a-53ce-bfcc-9c148b56d040.html
7. “DeSantis campaign announces $15 million haul in third quarter but only $5 million is available for primary” CNN, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/04/politics/ron-desantis-fundraising-republican-primary/index.html
8. “DeSantis announces $15 million fundraising haul, will move staff to Iowa” POLITICO, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/04/desantis-fundraising-iowa-00119920
