Ron DeSantis is privately telling people he willl run for President

Ron DeSantis is privately telling people he will run for president in 2024 as he makes his first trip to the important early campaign state of Iowa on Friday.

Iowa would be a crucial test for the Florida governor. The state will hold the first Republican nominating contest early next year and, if DeSantis could beat Donald Trump in its caucuses, it would show his strength and viability as a candidate.

DeSantis has made no formal announcement about his 2024 plans but he has indicated privately that he intends to run for president, two people familiar with his comments told The Washington Post. 

He has long been seen as presidential contender for Republicans. His trip to Iowa comes two days before Trump visits the state to campaign there in his first visit since announcing his 2024 bid. Nikki Haley, who also has announced a presidential campaign, is in the middle of a three-day Iowa campaign swing.

Trump has deep ties to the state – thanks to his previous two presidential campaigns – and is popular there.

But a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll out Friday shows his support is starting to erode: the percentage of Iowa Republicans who say they would ‘definitely’ vote for him if he were the 2024 nominee has plummeted by more than 20 points since June 2021.

The poll also found Trump and DeSantis are on par when it comes to approval in the state: 44% of voters approve of Trump with 42% approving DeSantis. Both are about 20 points ahead of Haley.

DeSantis on Friday will appear at events in Des Moines and Davenport that will be moderated by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who has said she will remain neutral in the GOP presidential primary.

Then the Florida governor heads to Nevada on Saturday – another important early voting state in the Republican presidential primary.

The trips – including one to the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, California last week – are part of DeSantis’ effort to build his national profile, introduce himself to voters, and connect with donors ahead of an expected presidential announcement.

DeSantis allies don’t expect him to announce a presidential bid until after the Florida state legislative session ends in May. 

But, already, a super PAC has been formed that could be a boost to his presidential campaign. Never Back Down will be run by Ken Cuccinelli, who served as acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during the Trump administration, and Chris Jankowski, a veteran GOP operative.

All of DeSantis’ recent moves point to his presidential ambitions and those close to him told the Post that the governor is talking about a campaign without any caveats that would suggest he’s still deciding.

Former Presidential Donald Trump will visit Iowa on Monday – his first visit to the state since announcing he will run again in 2024

Nikki Haley is in the middle of a three-day Iowa tour – above she campaigns in Nevada, Iowa

Late last month DeSantis held a private, three-day retreat in Palm Beach – where Trump resides in Florida – with several prominent Republicans, many of whom backed the former president.

The event, billed as a celebration of his policies for the state he refers to as the ‘Florida blueprint,’ also served as a way to connect him to donors and powerbrokers in the party. 

He also recently published a book: The Courage to Be Free: Florida‘s Blueprint for America’s Revival. He is pitching his policies in Florida as a ‘blueprint’ for the nation.

His events in Iowa and Nevada are tied to that book tour, which many see as a precursor to a presidential campaign.

Iowa, famous for its retail politics, will also be a test of DeSantis’ campaign abilities.

The governor has faced chatter he’s not a natural on the campaign trail, that he lacks charm and seems unwilling to commit to the hours of glad-handling and schmoozing it takes to campaign. 

In Iowa, face time counts. Presidential candidates are expected to make multiple trips, visit nearly every county in the state, and do extensive retail campaigning.

That strategy gave early boosts to other Republicans in past presidential primaries: Mike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012 and Ted Cruz in 2016.

From left: Madison DeSantis, 6; first lady Casey DeSantis; Mason DeSantis, 4; and Gov. Ron DeSantis hold their hand over their hearts as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California on Sunday, March 5, 2023 

Trump lashed out at DeSantis for the trip, accusing him of trying to ‘kill ethanol’ – an important issue to Iowa farmers.

‘Why on earth (farmer’s love earth!) would the wonderful people of the GREAT State of Iowa vote for Ron DeSanctimonious when he voted and fought to KILL Ethanol (and will definitely do so if given the chance),’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social website Thursday night.

‘He will be in Iowa on Friday to beg for mercy. I supported Ethanol, FIRED NAFTA, & made USMCA & China Trade Deals!’

While in Congress in 2017, DeSantis co-sponsored legislation that would have immediately ended the Renewable Fuel Standard, a mandate that requires renewable fuel to be blended into the nation’s fuel supply.

One of those requirements is met by corn starch ethanol. Iowa produces more corn than any other state.

Trump will be in Davenport on Monday to outline his education plan and take questions from voters. It’s his first visit to the state since he announced he’s running for president again.

He clearly sees DeSantis as a threat – giving him the derogatory nickname Ron DeSanctimonious and accusing him of wanting to cut Medicare and Social Security benefits. 

DeSantis will visit the Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport and then head to the Iowa State Fairgrounds, a traditional destination for presidential candidates. 

He’ll also make a stop in Des Moines between his public events to meet with a small group of Republican lawmakers.

In Las Vegas on Saturday, DeSantis will visit the night club Stoney’s Rockin’ Country with Adam Laxalt, a longtime friend who was the GOP nominee for Senate in Nevada last year.