Republican Presidential Hopefuls Court Conservative Evangelicals in Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa – On September 16, 2023, Republican presidential hopefuls gathered in Des Moines to address influential conservative evangelical activists at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s fall banquet. With only four months remaining until the Iowa caucuses, candidates seized the opportunity to make an impression on Iowa’s conservative voters without former President Donald Trump’s dominating presence. Trump currently holds a comfortable lead in the polls, with more than twice the support of his closest competitor, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, among likely GOP caucusgoers.
The Iowa caucuses, scheduled for January 15, 2024, will kickstart the race for the Republican nomination. Given the significant role conservative evangelical voters play in the state’s caucuses, many candidates focused on issues of importance to this voting bloc, particularly abortion restrictions. DeSantis, who has positioned himself as a pro-life governor, emphasized the progress made on pro-life protections in states such as Iowa and Florida, rather than engaging on the topic of a national ban.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, another Republican presidential candidate, reiterated his support for a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Pence stated, “It’s an idea whose time has come,” and expressed his disagreement with Trump and some other GOP candidates who advocate for leaving the abortion issue to the states. On the other hand, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, while personally opposing abortion, believed a 15-week restriction would repel potential Republican voters and described a federal ban as impracticable.
Several candidates have already incorporated faith into their campaigns and have prioritized evangelical voters. They hope to replicate conservative Senator Ted Cruz’s victory over Trump in the 2016 Iowa caucuses. DeSantis launched a “Faith and Family Coalition” and gained support from over 70 faith leaders in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Other candidates, like Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and Pence, have drawn supporters with their outspokenness about their Christian faith.
Vivek Ramaswamy, who gained interest from voters after his performance at the first GOP presidential debate, has been openly discussing his Hindu faith. While accepting that some evangelicals may prioritize a Christian nominee, Ramaswamy stated, “my job is not to convince anybody out of it.” He believes that people of diverse religious backgrounds share a common desire for honest and forthright leaders.
During the event, Ramaswamy announced a new endorsement from Iowa State Representative Eddie Andrews, the only Black Republican in the state House. Andrews praised Ramaswamy for his clarity, passion, and willingness to address issues that others have not.
Notably absent from the banquet was former President Trump, who leads in the polls. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson criticized Trump’s absence, accusing him of taking evangelical voters for granted and wavering on important issues like abortion restrictions. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, another vocal critic of Trump, also skipped the event in favor of focusing on New Hampshire. Additionally, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum opted to campaign in New Hampshire rather than attend the banquet.
As the Iowa caucuses draw closer, candidates will continue to vie for the support of conservative evangelical voters in hopes of gaining momentum in the race for the Republican nomination for president.