In a town hall event held in Des Moines, Iowa, Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 GOP presidential candidate, expressed his determination to persevere despite facing a tough battle for the Republican nomination. With just six days remaining until the Iowa caucuses, DeSantis acknowledged that victory was no longer a certainty but vowed to perform well in the crucial first state contest.
DeSantis, who was re-elected as Florida governor 14 months ago, was initially seen as a strong alternative to former President Trump in the Republican race. However, setbacks during the summer and autumn months led to a decline in his support in the polls. Rival candidate Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration, has recently caught up with DeSantis, both in Iowa and national surveys.
Despite trailing behind in the polls, DeSantis remained optimistic about his chances and downplayed the expectations set upon him. During the town hall, he stated, “I kind of like having lower expectations, to be honest with you. I’ve been an underdog my whole life and everything I’ve ever done.” DeSantis emphasized that he believes in his ability to prove the media wrong and reiterated his commitment to the long-term campaign, regardless of the outcome in Iowa.
When questioned about his campaign’s future in New Hampshire, DeSantis affirmed that he would continue to advance, regardless of his performance in Iowa. He also highlighted his campaign’s extensive get-out-the-vote efforts, which heavily rely on the support of the Never Back Down super PAC. DeSantis expressed confidence in the organization and stated that they have received more commitments than any other campaign in the history of the Iowa caucus.
Both Haley and Trump have also participated in town hall events in Iowa, underscoring the significance of the state in the 2024 campaign. Trump is set to take questions from the moderators on Wednesday evening. As the race intensifies, all candidates are striving to secure crucial support and gain momentum heading into the primary season.
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