Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, pictured, speaking in front of potential Republican caucus Participants. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

With the 2024 presidential election cycle now in full swing, candidates have begun criss-crossing the nation looking to gain support before primaries and caucus begin. With Iowa being the first caucus for Republicans many candidates have been spending much of their time hitting the campaign trail here in Iowa.

Republican presidential hopeful and current Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis spent much of Friday and Saturday on a Bus Tour throughout Iowa, landing him at the Tama Livestock Auction on Saturday at noon.

After being introduced by Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Montour), who has already endorsed him, DeSantis entered, carrying one of his daughters on his shoulders. The Florida Governor spent his first few minutes speaking on his experiences in Iowa before diving into his elevator pitch.

DeSantis spoke of his time serving the country in Iraq, decreasing the national debt, China, and his record in Florida. In his speech he also gave praise to Governor Kim Reyonlds and has previously mentioned her as a potential running mate.

Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis also spoke during the event. She highlighted her “Mamas for DeSantis” program, which aims to bring mothers and grandmothers together as they advocate for parental rights in schools and across various mediums.

Casey DeSantis joined in on the event, speaking to the moms in the audience of her program “Mamas for DeSantis.” PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

After the speech, the DeSantis family and various campaign staff loaded the bus and took off towards their next event at Pizza Ranch in Grinnell. The Florida governor has visited 18 of Iowa’s 99 counties so far with the plan to get to all ninety nine before the caucus.

Jason Lekin, owner of Tama Livestock Auction, was honored that a presidential candidate would take time out of their busy schedule to visit a business in Tama. After complications with a different host, the Tama Livestock Auction became the apparent campaign stop. Lekin was also shocked at the high turnout of the event.

“I honestly expected 10 or so people to show up,” Lekin said after the event had concluded.

DeSantis is currently in second place in most national polls, and faces an uphill battle to win the Republican nomination over former president Donald Trump.

After the event Ron DeSantis met and took pictures with attendees before heading to his bus for the next campaign event of the day. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Pam and Craig Knock, flanked by a campaign staff member, sign DeSantis’ “Never Back Down” bus. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

WIth his campaign bus adorned with his slogan “Never Back Down” the DeSantis family travels the country in their bid for the White House. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER