DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Eight Republican presidential candidates are in Iowa on Saturday for a political event hosted by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence are among those scheduled to speak at a rally at the state fairgrounds near Des Moines.
Former President Donald Trump, the leading GOP presidential candidate, will be notably absent. He has largely avoided any event that would see him share the stage with his 2024 rivals.
DeSantis, seen as Trump’s main challenger, has been on a blitz of campaign stops in early voting states, including Iowa, in recent days as he marks his first week as an official candidate.
The governor appeared with his family at the fairgrounds, where he signed autographs. One man asked him to sign a Bible and thanked DeSantis “for standing up to Disney.” It was a reference to an ongoing feud with the company that began when DeSantis signed a ban on classroom lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in the early grades.
His wife, Casey DeSantis, who has become a frequent campaign presence, appeared at his side in a leather jacket with an alligator and an outline of Florida sewn onto the back, with the message: “Where wake died,” a motto the governor has adopted.
Marie Andres of Des Moines signed a form, distributed by a super political action committee supporting DeSantis, to pledge to caucus for him early next year.
“Trump did a great job, but in my opinion, too much drama,” the 74-year-old said. He said he engaged the governor because he believes DeSantis is “the best thing we’re going to get.”
Her husband remains a staunch Trump supporter. “Believe me I tried” to convince him otherwise, he said.
Pence, who has made frequent trips to Iowa over the past year, is not yet in the race but will launch his long-awaited campaign Wednesday at an event in Des Moines, according to two people familiar with his plans who spoke to the condition of anonymity to share details before the official announcement.
Pence was the only White House hopeful to participate in a morning motorcycle ride for charity that is a staple of Ernst’s annual “Roast and Ride” event.
In an interview with Newsmax before the trip, Pence said he and his wife, Karen, have spent a lot of time praying and thinking about how to serve the country next.
“We have made a decision. I thought there would be no better place to announce our decision than right here in the Hawkeye State,” he said.
The former vice president and former governor of Indiana appeared with Ernst and a group of about 200 bikers at a Harley-Davidson location in Des Moines. Pence wore jeans, boots and a leather vest with patches that read “Indiana” and messages of support for the military.
He and Ernst got into the back of a pickup truck and spoke briefly to the motorists before driving off.
“One of the reporters asked me if we’re going to run more in Iowa what our lane will be. I said I’m more concerned about the lane we’re going to stay in today,” Pence said.
Pence, wearing a white motorcycle helmet and a big smile, left on a cobalt blue Harley Davidson. The group planned to go to the fairgrounds for the rest of the event, with a barbecue and speeches.
He took part in the ride once before, in 2017.
Other presidential hopefuls expected to appear at the rally later in the day include former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, US Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson , Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, author Vivek Ramaswamy and conservative radio host Larry. great
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Price reported from New York. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
