Republican Rep. Chip Roy, who is representing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 presidential race, spoke to Fox News Digital about a week after the Iowa caucuses, saying DeSantis was on the rise at the right time. He said he is on track to perform better than expected next time. week.
“We're seeing a significant increase in support for Governor DeSantis,” Roy explained. “It’s been really interesting and people are participating and focusing instead of just listening to the noise and the polls.”
Former President Trump has the following general views: 30 point lead DeSantis had a high approval rating in Iowa, according to Real Clear Politics polling averages, but Roy told Fox News Digital that the enthusiasm he saw on the ground was because the caucuses weren't what people expected. He said the polls and voting results are not the same, suggesting that the two countries are closer than they are now. The actual caucus will be held next Monday.
“The Governor was attending a large church service in Des Moines with about 2,000 people…He's been doing event after event. Thomas Massie and I were standing room only at many places,” the governor said. I wasn't with them. People were pouring in, it was a packed venue,''' Roy said.
“They took great advantage of this and said, 'Oh, he's at events with only 200 or 300 people, and President Trump was at events with 1,000 or so people.' First of all, I don't know if I can trust those numbers. I've seen President Trump's places pretty empty, but this is how Iowa works. You go from town to town. He's been to 99 counties, 200 events. And you go to these places, you go to restaurants that also go to these places, you talk to elders, you talk to people. Masu.”
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CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – AUGUST 6: Republican presidential candidates at Ashley's Barbecue Bash hosted by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) on August 6, 2023 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks as a guest. Seven of the 14 Republican candidates seeking the party's presidential nomination were scheduled to speak at the event.
(Scott Olson/Getty Images)
”Casey and I met with 25 people yesterday. You do that, right? We sat down and converted some people who were on the fence, there were some people there who were already in the governor's camp. Lots of energy, lots of enthusiasm. “While the trajectory is trending significantly upward, I think Trump and Haley's trajectory is trending downward, and the governor is looking good for the week ahead.”
Roy told Fox News Digital that he has spoken to voters in Iowa. ”Roy said he didn't like that Nikki Haley was fired when she said New Hampshire had to fix it, and that he believed her stock was “taking a nosedive.” . Additionally, Roy said DeSantis can deliver on the message that President Trump has promised but failed to follow through. It's gaining traction.
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“Governor DeSantis is by no means a Trumper,” Roy said. “He believes that we actually need to finish what the former president started. That's the actual truth. And that message is resonating. We said we were going to build one, but that never happened.”
“He said he would address birthright citizenship. He didn't sign an executive order. He said he would repeal Obamacare, but that didn't happen. Then he Put Anthony Fauci on us and I'll shut down the economy and the economy.'' Vaccine and mask mandates, $8 trillion in debt. Governor DeSantis fought all of it. He also fought with Disney. he achieved results. He won by a margin of 1.5 million votes. Its contents resonate. I'm serious.. ”
Congressman Chip Roy (left) and Governor Ron DeSantis (right) (Getty Images)
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Roy said the biggest issues that Iowa voters say are important to them are immigration and the economy, two issues that DeSantis has blown up when he sends illegal immigrants to Martha's Vineyard. Roy said he believes he has provided leadership and “sparked” that conversation and response to Florida's economy.
Roy also said that while Trump's legal issues are unfair, they are a factor in voters being wary of the risk of losing the presidential election if the campaign becomes a referendum on Trump. did.
“We cannot risk losing this election,” Roy said. “Freedom is at stake, and everyone in Iowa knows it. We can't afford to do that. Let's knock it out of the park, make every promise, and be honest. He said, “We accomplished a lot of things in Washington that the president couldn't accomplish. Why would we do that in favor of someone who has to deal with legal issues, fair or not?'' Are you going to back out of this?”
Des Moines, Iowa, August 12, 2023: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enjoys pork chops and burgers at the Iowa Pork Producers booth during the 2023 Iowa State Fair on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Turn it over. ((Photo by Demetrius Freeman/Washington Post via Getty Images))
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Roy told Fox News Digital that Monday's caucuses will “definitely” be “closer than people think.”
“I think we'll have to watch very closely to see if the former president can win a majority of Iowa voters,” Roy said. “I don't think he'll do that. I don't think he'll come close. We'll see. I think it's a lot and Governor DeSantis is going to be way above what people are thinking and we'll see what happens. You'll see.'' It lands. ”
