DES MOINES, Iowa — Amid platters of sliced pork, statement leather ensembles and piles of political T-shirts, eight Republican presidential hopefuls descended on Iowa to pitch to voters and, in Mike Pence’s case, climb a motorcycle
Former Vice President and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was among the White House candidates who appeared at a rally at the state fairgrounds near Des Moines, organized by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. Its annual political event, the “Roast and Ride,” a combination barbecue rally and motorcycle ride, kicks off a busy summer campaign season heading into the state’s first caucuses in early next year
Former President Donald Trump, the leading GOP presidential candidate, was notably absent after spending two days in the state last week. He has largely avoided any event that would see him share the stage with his 2024 rivals.
DeSantis, with his wife, Casey, and three young children in tow, chatted with voters, signed autographs and signed the Bible of a man who thanked DeSantis for “standing up to Disney.” DeSantis just wrapped up his first week as an official candidate with a barrage of campaign stops in three early voting states.
Casey DeSantis wore a black leather jacket in 86 degree weather with the words “Where Woke Goes to Die” and an outline of Florida on the back. He recalled comparisons to first lady Melania Trump, who in 2018 sent a message on the back of a green hoodie that read “I really don’t care,” as she left the White House for a trip to visiting migrant children in Texas.
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. He wore jeans, boots and a leather vest with patches that said “Indiana” and messages of support for the military.
The former Indiana governor, who has made frequent trips to Iowa over the past year, is expected to launch his long-awaited campaign at an event in Des Moines on Wednesday.
“I’ll be back a little later next week,” Pence teased the crowd when he spoke later at the rally. “I have nothing to announce today.”
Earlier in the morning, before beginning his motorcycle ride, Pence, standing with Ernst in the back of a pickup truck, again hinted at his impending candidacy.
“One of the reporters asked me if we’re going to run more in Iowa, what’s our lane going to be. I said I’m more concerned about the lane we’re going to stay in today,” Pence joked.
The former vice president, wearing a white motorcycle helmet and a big smile, left on a cobalt blue Harley Davidson. The group headed to the fairgrounds, where the candidates gave speeches and chatted with voters munching on barbecue.
Other candidates who spoke at the event included former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, author Vivek Ramaswamy and conservative radio host Larry Elder.
In their statements, all the candidates tiptoed around the ex-president’s mentions. Haley repeated a version of a line she has been using as a candidate that appears to allude to Trump, 76, and his controversial political career.
“It’s time for a new generation leader. We need to leave the baggage of negativity behind,” he said.
Offstage, however, several of the candidates did not hesitate to criticize Trump when asked about his social media post on Friday in which he congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for receiving a post from his country on the executive board of the World Health Organization.
“I was shocked to see this. I mean, I think, one, Kim Jung Un is a murderous dictator,” DeSantis said, when asked by a reporter about the post.
Pence, in an interview Saturday with Fox News, said: “Look, whether it’s my former running mate or anybody else, nobody should be praising the dictator in North Korea.”
Hutchinson later tweeted: “We punish leaders who oppress their people. We don’t elevate them to the world stage.”
In their speeches, the GOP candidates tackled similar conservative themes: criticizing President Joe Biden, promising tough policies on China and the US-Mexico border, and abortion restrictions and gender-affirming policies.
The event had the feel of a large political fair, with about 1,000 people gathered to hear the presidential prospects speak in front of hay bales in a building on the fairgrounds. Many of the campaigns set up tables full of stickers, T-shirts and can coolers.
Lines of dozens of gleaming Harley Davidson motorcycles, in all colors, were neatly parked in the parking lot outside, along with campaign buses for Ramaswamy and the DeSantis super PAC. Nearby was what appeared to be a mechanical bull converted to resemble a motorcycle, surrounded by an inflatable landing zone to catch the launched riders, all sponsored by the political super PAC Never Back Down, which supports DeSantis .
Marie Andres of Des Moines signed a form, distributed by Never Back Down, to pledge to the DeSantis caucus early next year.
“Trump did a great job, but in my opinion, too much drama,” the 74-year-old said. He said he committed to DeSantis because he believes he’s “the best thing we’re going to get.”
Jill Villalobos, 54, was buying a Haley shirt, not for herself, but for her brother in Florida. The Altoona resident plans to support Scott, who she believes can unite the GOP and the country. “I really like his message,” Villalobos said.
Victoria Ortiz had heard little from the candidates until now and attended the event to learn more. He left with interest for DeSantis, Haley and Scott.
“I believe in the strong work ethic they promote. As a Hispanic, that’s how I was raised,” said the 35-year-old owner and rental manager on Des Moines’ south side. “I don’t believe in gifts. You have to work for it.”
He said he didn’t like Trump.
“His persona, practically, and the things he says, are not things I want my children to hear from a president,” he said.
Ernst, along with Gov. Kim Reynolds, is one of the most sought-after Republican officials in the early stages of the Iowa caucuses.
The senator has vowed to stay neutral and not endorse it during the caucus campaign.
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Price reported from New York. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
