Immigration

published : 2023-11-26

Iowa GOP voters weigh DeSantis’ Florida record as caucuses near: 'Time to stand up'

Voters in Iowa say they support DeSantis for his stance on the southern border, but Florida residents don’t seem to care about the issue

Iowa resident Pam from Sigourney expressing her support for DeSantis and his stance on the southern border, taken with Nikon D850.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is actively campaigning in Iowa, despite being away from his home state.

Voters in Iowa are showing support for DeSantis, but for different reasons compared to Florida residents.

Iowa residents appreciate DeSantis's tough stance on the U.S. border and his immigration policies, seeing them as appealing on a national level.

They believe that his approach is necessary to prevent illegal immigration.

On the other hand, Florida residents are backing DeSantis based on his local accomplishments and conservative policies within the state.

They admire his efforts to maintain Republican values and address local issues.

For example, one voter praised DeSantis for taking a stand against Disney.

Steve in Davenport, Iowa, sharing his thoughts on the importance of securing the U.S. border, taken with Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

Despite these contrasting reasons, DeSantis is gaining momentum and endorsements, including from influential Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats.

Evangelicals play a significant role in Iowa's Republican voter base.

With the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses approaching, candidates are vying to showcase their stance on securing the border, as it resonates with Iowa voters.

However, it is important to note that Iowa voters tend to make up their minds closer to the caucuses.

A recent poll shows former President Donald Trump with a strong lead in Iowa, but the race for the primary challenger is between DeSantis and Nikki Haley.

DeSantis has been actively campaigning across Iowa, with only one county left to complete a statewide tour.

His campaign is focusing on a traditional grassroots approach, which has been effective in the state's caucus system.

Florida resident Theresa from Madeira Beach discussing her admiration for DeSantis's conservative policies, taken with Sony Alpha a7 III.

DeSantis's endorsement from Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds holds significant weight, as she is highly respected and popular among Republicans in Iowa.

Reynolds's endorsement is expected to swing the favor towards DeSantis in the caucus.

The Iowa caucus is known to set the stage for the following primaries and can greatly impact the race.

While the outcome remains uncertain, Iowa usually has surprises in store, and January 15th will be a key date to watch.

As the 2024 presidential election unfolds, stay updated with the latest from the campaign trail to see how it shapes the future.