TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Ron DeSantis is preparing for a busy weekend in Iowa, continuing his bus tour through all 99 counties in the Hawkeye State with plans to attend the annual football game between rivals Iowa and Iowa State on Saturday.
“We’re going to do other stops and other counties throughout the day,” DeSantis told Iowa News Now’s Skylar Tallal. “I think we’re at 53 counties you know, and we’ll be able to add a number of other counties, but the game is going to be part of our travels that day.”
DeSantis says the tour is important because a greater percentage of Iowans will start paying closer attention into the fall and winter months.
“I think one of the reasons that people get inspired to go out to caucus is because you came to their community, you shook their hand, you answered their questions – and that’s what we’re doing,” DeSantis said.
“I AM THE PARENTS’ CANDIDATE”
A parent of young kids ages six, five and three, DeSantis says he’s very sensitive to what parents are going through as they raise kids in the challenging times we find ourselves in.
“We want to ensure that people understand we believe in parents’ rights to direct the education and upbringing of their kids,” DeSantis said. “We are insistent that parents have a seat at the table over these important education issues. That’s something that Iowa’s done a good job of under Governor Reynolds.”
Often comparing his success in Florida with the success of Governor Reynolds in Iowa, DeSantis says the same principles should be implemented nationwide.
“I am the parents’ candidate,” DeSantis said. “I’m the candidate that’s done the most to stand up for parents and protect our children, and I’m the one that is most in tune with what parents are going through in this day and age.”
CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP
DeSantis says his record of conservative leadership is resonating with Iowans.
“All these important issues that we talk about, a lot of this stuff we talked about at the debate in Milwaukee, I’ve actually accomplished all of that in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said.
Fighting illegal immigration, supporting the Second Amendment, running a big budget surplus and paying down state debt, school choice, parents’ rights, protecting people against COVID authoritarianism and vaccine mandates – “we’ve done all of those things in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said.
“Republican voters, particularly Iowans, think talk is cheap. They want you to show them why you’re the leader that they can trust, and I have that demonstrated track record.”
