(ConservativeHub.com) – On May 13, both former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) were going to be attending different events in Iowa, further escalating the rivalry between the two men who are widely considered the 2024 GOP primary leading contenders. However, Trump ended up canceling last-minute due to weather, leaving only DeSantis to take on the state.
DeSantis was scheduled to attend Rep. Randy Feenstra’s (R-Iowa) yearly Family Picnic in Sioux Center, as well as a Cedar Rapids fundraiser for Republicans. Trump’s campaign also announced a rally in Des Moines last week. A source close to Trump stated that the Iowa rally was planned for weeks prior to its announcement. However, with it scheduled on the same day as DeSantis’s Iowa appearance, some believed this was an attempt by Trump to counter DeSantis’ attempts to gain support in the early-voting state.
While DeSantis is widely speculated to be gearing up for a presidential bid, he has not yet announced his intentions for 2024, or whether he will be placing a bid for the White House.
While there is not extensive early polling in Iowa, most surveys currently place Trump in the lead over DeSantis. However, a poll in March from Public Opinion Strategies had placed DeSantis’s ratings higher than those of Trump in Iowa.
On Thursday, State Senate President Amy Sinclair and House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl endorsed DeSantis for the White House, giving him some extra support from prominent conservative Iowa Republicans as he is potentially preparing to place his presidential bid.
However, Trump was unable to have his rally, as the weather in Iowa deteriorated with a threat of tornadoes and forced Trump to cancel his rally which was set to be held outdoors. According to NBC News, DeSantis responded by quickly scheduling a visit to a barbeque joint close to the location where Trump intended to hold his event.
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