FIRST ON FOX – Former Vice President Mike Pence is returning next month to Iowa, the state whose caucuses fall off the GOP presidential nominating schedule, to take part in an annual motorcycle ride benefiting veterans as he prepares for his expected entry into the Republican presidential nomination of 2024. career.
Fox News has learned that Pence will ride a motorcycle on Saturday, June 3, a vital stop on the Iowa Republican political calendar, to Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa’s annual “Roast and Ride” motorcycle ride. This year’s event benefits the Freedom Foundation, an organization that supports veterans based in Cedar Rapids.
Ernst, who served in the Iraq War during his more than two decades as an officer in the Iowa Army National Guard, has invited all confirmed and potential GOP White House candidates to participate on their annual trip through parts of Des Moines and the following demonstration. at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
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Republican Sens. Joni Ernst (L) and Chuck Grassley of Iowa speak at Ernst’s annual ‘Roast and Ride’ benefiting veterans in Des Moines, Iowa on Oct. 22, 2022 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Sen. Ernst Campaign)
Among the guests are former President Donald Trump, who is making his third consecutive bid for the White House and is currently the overwhelming favorite in the Republican primary battle, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is staying away in 2024, but it is expected to launch. a campaign in the coming weeks.
The senator announced last week that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who later served as ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration, would participate in the Roast and Ride.
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In a statement announcing the former vice president’s participation in his ‘Roast and Ride,’ Ernst said that “as a fellow motorcycle enthusiast, Mike will also be joining me in my Ride to benefit Iowa’s Freedom Foundation”.
Pence, who rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle as then-vice president attended Ernst’s event six years ago, said in a statement to Fox News on Monday that “wherever Joni Ernst asks me to be, I will be.” .
He continued, “As the proud parents of a Navy pilot, Karen and I understand the importance of giving back to organizations like the Freedom Foundation of Cedar Rapids, amazing veterans who support charity. I am honored that Joni m ‘has once again asked me to join her Annual Roast and Ride and we hope to be back soon with the people of Iowa!”
Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to social conservative voters at a meeting of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, April 22, 2023, in Clive, Iowa. (Fox News)
Pence, who has made numerous trips to Iowa and other early voting presidential nominating states in the past two years, has said he will make a decision on whether to launch a presidential campaign in the coming weeks.
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Targeting President Biden and the Democratic National Committee for their move earlier this year to remove Iowa from its lead position on the Democratic presidential nominating calendar, the senator emphasized that “even though Joe Biden and the national Democrats left Iowa, Republicans maintain our FIRST status in the nation.My annual Roast and Ride is THE event to attend in 2023. It’s the perfect opportunity to engage directly with Iowans from all corners of the state”.
Ernst launched his annual trip shortly after winning election to the Senate in 2014. At the time, he said his goal was to showcase his party’s top candidates, just as former Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa had done with their “annual steak”. fry” for Democratic presidential hopefuls.
Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa participates in the annual ‘Roast and Ride’ benefiting veterans in Des Moines, Iowa on October 22, 2022 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Sen. Joni Ernst Campaign)
Ernst, along with the rest of Iowa’s Republican congressional delegation, is staying neutral as the GOP presidential candidates battle it out in the Iowa caucuses.
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The senator, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, also hosts discussions on foreign policy and national security policy with White House hopefuls.
Both Haley and Pence have already participated in the discussion that Ernst is hosting with the Bastion Institute, a think tank that aims to “discuss the path toward strengthening America’s leadership and positioning on the international stage.”
Paul Steinhauser is a political reporter based in New Hampshire.
