Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is looking to get a boost in Iowa six weeks before the state’s caucus takes place. Though DeSantis remains far behind former President Donald Trump in state and national polls, his campaign is reportedly betting it all on a win in Iowa on Jan. 15.
According to a new Washington Post poll, DeSantis won the fourth Republican debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Florida governor’s campaign is already working off of this debate win in Iowa as the nation’s first caucus is a little more than a month away.
Though many political analysts have stated that DeSantis has struggled to connect with voters, his rise in some state polls seems to suggest that he may be finally convincing Iowans to vote for him in January.
While former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has risen in various polls, some recent state polls in Iowa show her behind DeSantis. According to RealClearPolitics, DeSantis has 19% of support in Iowa, while Haley has 16%. However, both candidates still remain well behind Trump, their main competitor.
Regardless, DeSantis’ campaign states that he’s made moves with voters in Iowa. He’s earned the endorsement of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), and she’s been campaigning for him throughout the state in recent weeks.
"Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has recruited more than 200 mothers and grandmothers to help boost support in Iowa. The Mamas for DeSantis coalition now includes members in all 99 Iowa counties."https://t.co/VmLTd89j60
— Andrew Romeo (@andrewromeo33) December 8, 2023
Andrew Romeo, DeSantis’ campaign spokesman, told Washington Examiner that they’re looking to keep the boost from the governor’s well-received debate performance into January. “We look forward to building on this momentum as the governor heads back to Iowa tomorrow for a multiday swing,” Romeo said.
DeSantis has spent a lot of time on the ground in the state. He recently completed a tour of all 99 counties in Iowa in his quest to connect with Republican voters.
Though he seemingly won the fourth debate according to polls, some GOP analysts don’t believe this win will be enough to see him win the first nation’s caucuses.
Cesar Conda, a Republican strategist who supports Haley, said, “I suppose you could say DeSantis did well because he wasn’t the focus of everyone’s attacks. But it remains to be seen if this performance will boost him in Iowa.”
