With one day left to sway voters, Republican presidential candidates are holding their final events in the Hawkeye State.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said at a December event in Atlantic, Iowa, “I've probably been to Pizza Ranch more times than I've been to the gym in the last six months.”
From photos of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley with the Butter Cow at the Iowa State Fair to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' visit to Dyersville's Field of Dreams, the candidates have spent the last year traveling across Iowa. We have held events at.
“We're going to spend every minute we can get out the vote,” DeSantis said at an event in Ankeny, Iowa, last week.
President Trump tells protesters to 'go home to your mama'
Between all the city halls and dinners, some voters still aren't sure who they're going to support.
“We've kind of narrowed it down to Haley and DeSantis,” said retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel Mike Treinen.
Treinen served in the Vietnam War and says veterans' issues are important to him.
“When it comes to Iran and Israel, these are serious issues,” Treinen said. “There are many people who would like to think that we are already at war with Iran.”
Former United Nations Ambassador and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (right) and Florida Governor Ron attend the Republican presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. Mr. DeSantis (left). . (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
He is also concerned about national defense and the crisis at the southern border. He wants a candidate who can beat President Joe Biden.
“I will not vote for Biden under any circumstances,” Treinen said. “I think he just shows a complete failure of leadership. Always trying to avoid problems and blame someone else. A lot of poor ideas, withdrawal from Afghanistan, runaway inflation, border issues. ”
Brian Smith works at a hospital in Des Moines. When Fox first spoke to him four years ago, he was torn between running for Joe Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and health care helped drive his decision.
'You and I': Haley and Trump face off on the campaign trail as Iowa caucuses approach
“They all have very good answers in part, but I don't know the answers,” Smith said four years ago.
She has been married since 2020 and works as a nutritionist. He ultimately decided to caucus with President Biden and plans to support him again in the general election. But as for the caucuses, he is considering participating with Republicans.
“I looked at the situation and thought, who's running, who's on the Republican side? Is it worth my time, or is it worth speaking out against the Republican Party and changing the direction we've been going?” “Is it worth thinking about what we can do to help?” Smith said.
Iowa allows caucus participants to change their party affiliation on the same day. Smith said he wanted to send a message with the caucus' decision, opposing former President Donald Trump's rhetoric.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump participates in a Fox News town hall on January 10, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa.
“I know he has great ideas, I understand that, but I'm just extremely disappointed in the mess that's been made since he left,” Smith said. “We need someone who seriously cares about the public interest, and Donald Trump doesn't seem to have that in mind.”
Cody Stouse wants to see President Trump elected again.
“When you think about who and what is important to you, you ignore the outside noise and instead focus on the things that can affect you,” Stoss said.
He used to be a supporter of Barack Obama, but changed his affiliation to the Republican Party to support President Trump.
“As an Obama supporter, what really moved me away from my previous ideology was seeing some of the influence of President Obama and some of the positive effects that my family actually experienced under President Trump.” said Stooss.
Ron DeSantis puts his chips in the Iowa caucuses.Will his 2024 bet pay off on Monday?
Stoss likes the former president's America First platform. He believes President Trump can strengthen domestic supply chains and address the border crisis.
Asked what issues were most important to him, Stoss said: “Safety and security come first, and I'm concerned about the impact it has on my daily life, especially financially.''
Stoss's wife is a school teacher and they have two children. He believes President Trump's policies are good for future generations.
“My role as a father is first and foremost to take care of my family,” Stoss said. “I see President Trump doing the same thing for our country.”
Donald Trump appears on stage during a campaign event at Simpson College on Sunday, January 14, 2024 in Indianola, Iowa, USA. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rachel Geilenfeld is the Iowa state chairwoman of the Women for Nikki movement and is planning a caucus of former U.N. ambassadors on Monday. She says she is preparing for the frigid temperatures expected.
“I grew up in Iowa. It's okay. It's just Monday,” Geilenfeld said.
She believes Haley is the best option to address issues such as the national debt.
“I think a lot of people are familiar with Nikki's background as an ambassador to the United Nations and former governor. But one of the things I personally really like about her is her background as an accountant.” Geilenfeld said. “I think she's a problem solver. I really think that to lead our country, we need someone who has both the experience and the will to tackle the national debt issue.”
Geilenfeld also believes Haley is the most electable candidate who can move the country forward.
“I think voters are tired of the dysfunction and acrimony in politics, and I think one of the things Nikki represents is turning the page,” Geilenfeld explained. “We need someone to look past this petty issue and really sit down at the table with the adults and solve some of these problems.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
If Haley is not a candidate, Geilenfeld said she doesn't know who she will vote for in the general election. She believes the former South Carolina governor has done enough to win the support of Iowa caucus attendees.
“There are people in Iowa who haven't decided where to vote yet,” Geilenfeld said. “Please let's take a look. [the weather] This will affect the candidates who are likely to have a significant lead in this election race. But I think Nikki's supporters are very dedicated. ”
