Eight Republican presidential hopefuls are in Iowa on Saturday to attend a political occasion hosted by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence are amongst these scheduled to seem at a rally on the state fairgrounds close to Des Moines.

Former President Donald Trump, the main GOP presidential candidate, can be notably absent. He has largely averted any occasions which have him sharing the stage together with his 2024 rivals.

DeSantis, seen as Trump’s chief challenger, has been on a blitz of marketing campaign stops throughout early-voting states, together with Iowa, in current days as he marked his first week as an official candidate.

The governor appeared together with his household on the fairgrounds, the place he signed autographs. One man requested him to signal a Bible and he thanked DeSantis “for standing up to Disney.” It was a reference to an ongoing feud with the corporate that began when DeSantis signed a ban on classroom classes on sexual orientation and gender identification in early college grades.

His spouse, Casey DeSantis, who has turn into a frequent marketing campaign presence, appeared by his facet in a leather-based jacket with an alligator and a top level view of Florida stitched onto the again, with the message, “Where woke goes to die,” a slogan that the governor has adopted.

Marie Andres of Des Moines signed a type, distributed by an excellent political motion committee supporting DeSantis, to pledge to caucus for him early subsequent yr.

“Trump did a great job, but in my opinion, too much drama,” the 74-year-old mentioned. She mentioned she dedicated to the governor as a result of she thinks DeSantis is “the best we’re gonna get.”

Her husband stays a staunch Trump supporter. “Believe me I’ve tried” to persuade him in any other case, she mentioned.

Pence, who has made frequent journeys to Iowa over the previous yr, is just not but within the race however will launch his long-expected marketing campaign at an occasion in Des Moines on Wednesday, in accordance with two individuals acquainted with his plans who spoke on situation of anonymity to share particulars earlier than the official announcement.

Pence was the one White House hopeful taking part in a morning motorbike journey for charity that could be a staple of Ernst’s annual “Roast and Ride” occasion.

In an interview he gave to Newsmax earlier than the journey, Pence mentioned he and his spouse, Karen, have spent a lot time praying and reflecting on methods to serve the nation subsequent.

“We’ve come to a decision. I thought that there’d be no better place to announce our decision than right here in the Hawkeye state,” he mentioned.

The former vp and former Indiana governor appeared with Ernst and a bunch of about 200 motorcyclists at a Harley-Davidson location in Des Moines. Pence wore denims, boots and a leather-based vest with patches that mentioned “Indiana” and messages supportive of the army.

He and Ernst stood behind a pickup truck and briefly addressed the riders earlier than setting off.

“One of the reporters just asked me if we’re showing up more in Iowa what our lane would be. I said I’m more worried about the lane we’re going to be staying in today,” Pence mentioned.

Pence, sporting a white motorbike helmet and with a giant grin, then rode off on a cobalt blue Harley Davidson. The group deliberate to journey to the fairgrounds for the remainder of the occasion, that includes barbeque and speeches.

He participated within the journey as soon as earlier than, in 2017.

Others presidential hopefuls anticipated to seem on the rally later within the day embody former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, creator Vivek Ramaswamy and conservative speak radio host Larry Elder.

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