Fact check: Ron DeSantis has toured all 99 Iowa counties, contrary to report
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign provided Florida’s Voice with a list of over 200 Iowa events in all 99 counties amidst a report from Axios disputing that fact.
Axios reported that the governor has only visited 57 counties with 99 events, sourcing the Des Moines Register.
The outlet said DeSantis “claims to have visited all 99 Iowa counties.”
Per documentation provided by the DeSantis campaign, and as previously reported by local media, the governor has toured all of Iowa’s counties with a total of over 200 events.
Some of the events listed by DeSantis’ campaign were before his official campaign launch; however, that total is not enough to bring down his primary event total to anywhere near Axios’ reported numbers.
Axios reporter Sophia Cai said the outlet used data from the Des Moines Register as to why DeSantis’ totals are lower than what the campaign reported. She said that data “excludes fundraisers” and “roundtable”-type events, where the governor is still meeting with Iowans or Iowan leaders in 99 counties.
DeSantis campaign spokeswoman Carly Atchison said the team provided Axios the list of over 200 events.
She also pointed to DeSantis already being reported by numerous media outlets to have completed the “Full Grassley,” referring to Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley’s famous repeated touring of every Iowa county.
“So, you’re just making it up?” said Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for DeSantis’ executive government office.
DeSantis campaign press secretary Bryan Griffin called the Axios story “not even remotely accurate.”
“His total Iowa event count is over 240,” Griffin said.
Fox News also reported that DeSantis has only toured 57 counties with 99 events.
DeSantis campaign manager James Uthmeier dissed Fox, calling it “Trump TV.”
“The press followed @RonDeSantis as he trekked through all of Iowa’s 99 counties, and hundreds gathered to celebrate his last stop,” he said.
The Iowa caucus takes place Monday, Jan. 15.
