DeSantis touts Iowa as ‘well run’ in campaign-style visit

DES MOINES, Iowa (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ visit to Iowa featured packed rooms, enthusiastic crowds and an increase in swirling speculation of a 2024 presidential bid.

Iowa is traditionally one of the “first stops” for GOP presidential candidates.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds hosted DeSantis in an interview-style discussion, where the Florida governor promoted his oversight of the Sunshine State and what he sees as major cultural and policy victories like keeping the economy open, attracting Americans to move there, funding the police, and more.

Aside from promoting the “Freedom Blueprint” and his new book “The Courage to Be Free,” DeSantis also praised the Iowa governor for her leadership.

“They love their state because it’s well run […] She had to make tough decisions in Iowa that were the right decisions,” the governor said. “We chose freedom just like Iowa, and we were right and they were wrong.”

Reynolds praised DeSantis, saying both of them “focused on protecting the lives and livelihoods and the freedoms of [their] ctiizens.”

DeSantis released a recap video of his Iowa visit, teasing, “we’re just getting started.”

Over the weekend, DeSantis also stopped in Nevada.

Looking ahead, DeSantis has just under two months until the overwhelmingly Republican state legislature wraps up its regular session and passes major pieces of legislation like permitless carry, school choice expansion, cracking down on child sex changes, and more.

The governor has repeatedly said to not expect “national” political decisions until after the session ends.

Monday, Fox News exclusively reported that the Florida governor will travel to New Hampshire in mid-April.

The state holds the first primary election for the GOP.

According to Fox, DeSantis will headline the New Hampshire GOP’s annual Amos Tuck Dinner in Manchester.

The event is reportedly the New Hampshire GOP’s “largest annual fundraising gala.”