Staff Reports
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa is planning to conduct interviews with multiple Republican presidential candidates ahead of the state’s caucuses in January 2024. However, former President Donald Trump, who is currently the front-runner for the GOP nomination, has not yet confirmed his participation. Trump criticized Reynolds for showing neutrality during the nomination fight, claiming that she owes him loyalty since he selected her boss, Terry Branstad, as the U.S. ambassador to China. Reynolds is known as a rising star in the Republican Party after winning the governorship in the 2018 and 2022 midterm elections.
The interviews, called “Fair Side Chats,” will take place at the Iowa State Fair in August. Reynolds has invited more than a dozen Republican candidates, including radio talk show host Larry Elder, Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota, former Vice President Mike Pence, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida. The interviews will provide exposure to the candidates and allow Reynolds to gauge their positions and appeal to Iowa voters.
On the Democrat side, the Iowa State Fair will also host the Political Soapbox, where candidates can speak and make their pitches to the audience. Some notable Democrats appearing include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Marianne Williamson, and Chase Oliver, who is seeking the Libertarian Party nomination. The South Carolina primary, scheduled for February 24, 2024, will be another crucial contest for the Republican candidates. Governor DeSantis is set to headline the Faith & Freedom BBQ in Anderson, South Carolina, while Ramaswamy will be the featured speaker at the Dorchester County GOP’s Faith, Family & Freedom Dinner in Summerville, South Carolina.
Reynolds’s interviews and the events at the Iowa State Fair reflect the importance of early-voting states in the presidential nominating process. As the GOP field begins to take shape, candidates are actively seeking opportunities to connect with voters and mobilize support. While Trump remains a dominant force in the Republican Party, other candidates like Hutchinson, Scott, and Haley are trying to make inroads and present themselves as viable alternatives. These early campaign activities set the stage for a competitive and contentious primary season.
