Former President Donald Trump recently announced that he would be kicking off his 2024 campaign “blitz” on January 5 with two back-to-back appearances in northern Iowa. The first is set for 4 p.m. at Dordt University in Sioux Center, with the second event scheduled at the North Iowa Events Center in Mason City at 7:30 p.m. This push comes 10 days before the first-in-nation Iowa caucuses, which set the momentum for the 2024 presidential nominating contests in other states, signaling an intense start to the high-stakes political contest.
President Trump has made fewer in-person appearances in Iowa compared to other GOP contenders. Yet, he has been quietly amassing volunteers who have been working on voter relationships, and his campaign organization in the state has been described by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird as “the best I’ve ever seen.” His campaign has been engaging in a more targeted campaign, focusing on building a strong and loyal following throughout the state, even down to individual precincts.
The state of Iowa is significant in this campaign: It is where citizens from nearly 1,700 precincts will gather on Jan. 15, to begin a meeting at 7 p.m. Unlike primary elections, these caucus-goers will cast votes for their preferred presidential candidate, with the votes being counted in their presence. Volunteers from the Republican Party run these events. President Trump’s campaign team has designated spokespersons and meeting leaders for the caucuses. Each one has been issued a white hat with metallic-gold embroidered letters, “Trump Caucus Captain.”
Acknowledging the importance of Iowa, President Trump emphasized that winning by a large statewide margin during the state’s Caucus Night would be a crucial step toward solidifying his position as the Republican frontrunner and validating his lead in public opinion polls. A significant victory could potentially force other GOP contenders to withdraw from the race, consolidating donors’ contributions to aid the Republican Party’s ultimate goal—beating the incumbent or any possible Democrat replacement in the November 2024 general election.
The focus of the former president’s campaign has begun to shift toward attacking President Biden. The campaign highlighted President Trump’s accomplishments for Iowa, contrasting his record with President Biden’s as it seeks to emphasize the former president’s support for Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses. Throughout his first term, President Trump advocated for farmers, supported biofuels, and cut taxes—actions he has reminded Iowans of frequently.
Affirming his dominance within the Republican Party, President Trump continues to lead over his nearest challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in polls. However, his lead is narrower in early primary states. In Iowa, he leads by 32 points, but his rivals including Mr. DeSantis and Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy have not seen a noticeable bump in polling. The campaign credits President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign message, which has resonated with Iowans since his first presidential run, for his continued popularity in the state.
Challenges remain, however. Before he can face off against President Biden, President Trump must win the Republican Party’s nomination and overcome numerous court challenges. The field of notable Republicans initially included 13 contenders, but now President Trump is leading a group of just six, which includes strong challengers like Gov. DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. And this contest in Iowa will set the stage for the next battle in New Hampshire, which holds the first-in-nation primary election in late January.
