Casey DeSantis causes Iowa caucus confusion with call to descend on state

Casey DeSantis, the wife of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), briefly caused confusion on Friday when she appeared to call for supporters of her husband across the country to descend on Iowa and seemingly take part in the Iowa caucuses in January.

The first lady of Florida initially told Fox News Host Martha Maccallum that people did not need to be residents of Iowa to participate in the caucuses.

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“We’re asking all of these moms and grandmoms to come from wherever it might be — North Carolina, South Carolina — and descend upon the state of Iowa to be a part of the caucus because you do not have to be a resident of Iowa to be able to participate in the caucus,” Casey DeSantis said. “So moms and grandmoms are going to be able to come and be a part and let their voice be heard in support of Ron DeSantis.”

Her comments seemingly prompted a reminder from the Iowa Republican Party that out-of-state residents could not participate.

Casey DeSantis quickly clarified her comments, reminding supporters that only Iowa residents could vote in the caucuses but that other supporters could still help and show their support.

“We’ve built a nationwide coalition of moms who are mobilized to help elect [Ron DeSantis]: Mamas for DeSantis,” Casey DeSantis posted to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “While voting in the Iowa caucus is limited to registered voters in Iowa, there is a way for others to participate. I’m calling on mamas and grandmamas from all over the country to come volunteer in support of Ron DeSantis in the Iowa caucus.”

She also corrected her statement in a “Mamas for DeSantis” event in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday evening, claiming the campaign is aware that people from other states cannot vote in the caucus.

“But they can come and volunteer, and they can be a part of it in that way,” Casey DeSantis said. “So you’re seeing people from North Carolina, from South Carolina, from Florida, in particular, coming because they feel so strongly about protecting the future of their kids.”

The confusion comes as the couple focuses on winning in Iowa. Ron DeSantis, who was endorsed by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) last month, is seeking the Republican nomination for president. The Florida governor is currently polling second in Iowa, with 19% of the vote, according to RealClearPolitics. Former President Donald Trump is 29 percentage points ahead of him with 47%, while Nikki Haley, a former U.N. ambassador and governor of South Carolina, is 3 points behind with 16%.

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The Mamas for DeSantis campaign played an important role in the governor’s reelection last year, but it is unclear whether the trend will succeed nationally. The campaign said there has been some interest in Iowa so far, with the movement breaking out in all 99 counties.

“This is the fight of our lifetime,” Casey DeSantis said Friday. “For so many parents across the country — Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike — we draw the line at coming after our kids. This coalition will fight for Ron DeSantis to become the next President of the United States because he will fight to defend the innocence of children and hold the line in defense of our rights, liberties, and freedoms.”