Ron DeSantis leans in to hear a reporter’s question in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15.
AMES — Hot off the CNN debate stage, Ron DeSantis continued his jabs at former Governor Nikki Haley during his event in Ames, Iowa on Thursday evening. With the Iowa caucuses approaching quickly, DeSantis is in a close race with Haley for second place.
DeSantis was introduced and joined on stage by Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the conservative group The Family Leader. Vander Plaats, an influential evangelical leader, extended a highly coveted endorsement to DeSantis in late November, but the campaign has continued to falter.
During the event, protesters interrupted DeSantis on three separate occasions. The second protester, who stepped onto the stage with DeSantis as he unfurled a banner reading, “DESANTIS: CLIMATE CRIMINAL,” was immediately tackled and pinned to the ground by three security guards.
Ron DeSantis takes the stage and shakes hands with Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader, in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Zach Spindler-Krage)A protester is pinned to the ground after security guards tackled him off the stage. Three protesters interrupted DeSantis’ event at separate times in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Nick El Hajj)Onlookers stare as a protester is pinned to the ground by security guards. Three protesters interrupted DeSantis’ event at separate times in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Nick El Hajj)Two attendees sit next to the stage in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Attendees hold “DESANTIS 2024” signs as the former Florida Governor speaks in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Ron DeSantis is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa caucuses, which take place Monday, Jan. 15. (Nick El Hajj)An attendee wears a hat reading, “MAKE OUR FARMERS GREAT AGAIN,” in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Attendees look through the windows into the room where Ron DeSantis spoke in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Ron DeSantis speaks as Bob Vander Plaats observes in the background in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Nick El Hajj)Two attendees sit next to the stage and watch the crowd gather near the stage in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Ron DeSantis leaves the stage as reporters crowd around him in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Zach Spindler-Krage)An attendee asks Ron DeSantis a question after the event in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Desantis, the current Florida Governor, is battling former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa Caucuses, which take place on Monday, Jan. 15. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Ron DeSantis stopped to take photos with attendees after the event in Ames on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. The Florida Governor is battling former Governor Nikki Haley for second place in the Iowa caucuses, which take place Monday, Jan. 15. (Nick El Hajj)
Zach Spindler-Krage is a fourth year at Grinnell College studying political science and policy studies. He previously served as a staff writer, photographer and news editor for The S&B and spent his summer working at The Denver Post.
Nick El Hajj, hailing from Beirut, Lebanon, is a fourth-year political science and economics major. In his free time, Nick enjoys delving into a good book, embarking on scenic drives and indulging in random documentaries. You’ll frequently find Nick waking up way too early to enjoy a peaceful morning of fishing at Arbor Lake.
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