Iowa opportunities abound for 2024 GOP hopefuls to meet key local players

Former President Donald Trump doesn’t particularly need to schlep to local Republican gatherings as he pursues the 2024 GOP nomination. Trump’s primary rivals very much do, ahead of the Hawkeye State‘s Jan. 15 caucuses, which begin the voting process in choosing a nominee to challenge President Joe Biden in November 2024.

That’s the bad news for Trump’s Republican rivals. The former president holds commanding leads in early voting state polls: In addition to Iowa, there’s New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. The good news is that they still have plenty of opportunities to meet local Iowa political players, who can be super helpful in ginning up support for the first-in-the-nation caucus 2 1/2 months from now.

HALEY LOOKS TO CONSOLIDATE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPPORT AFTER HOME STATE NEWSPAPER ENDORSEMENT

How many other Republican candidates remain in the race by then is an open question. High burn rates in campaign budgets, single-digit support, and other challenges may pare down the field considerably by then. But for now, 2024 Republican candidates available to meet local Iowa GOP committee members include Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL). There’s also Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and Trump administration U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, plus former Vice President Mike Pence, wealthy entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).

There will, of course, be more campaign rallies and other events as the Iowa caucuses grow closer. However, those appearances are usually set two or three days in advance, at most. So, the committee meetings in Iowa, and local gatherings in Nevada (with its Feb. 6 primary), are the most likely places to plan ahead for the possibility of candidate sightings.

Wednesday, Nov. 1

Douglas County Republican Women Regular Meeting
Valley Christian Fellowship
1681 Lucerne St.
Minden, NV 89423
11 a.m.-1 p.m. PDT

Thursday, Nov. 2

Jones County GOP Central Committee Meeting
Jones County Local
22962 County Road E34
Anamosa, IA 52206
6:30-8 p.m. CDT

Audubon County GOP Central Committee Meeting
2079 US-71
Audubon, IA 50025
7-8 p.m. CDT

Mahaska County GOP Central Committee Meeting
212 N. I St.
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
7-8 p.m. CDT

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Monday, Nov. 6

Republican Men’s Club of Northern Nevada
Atlantis Casino and Resort
3800 Virginia St.
Reno, NV 89502
11 a.m.-1 p.m. PDT

Tuesday, Nov. 7

Nevada Republican Club Meeting (Southern Nevada)
Ahern Hotel & Convention Center
300 W. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
11 a.m.-1 p.m. PDT