On July 28, 2023, the Iowa Republican party held its annual Lincoln Dinner fundraiser, which attracted a significant number of presidential candidates vying for the party's nomination.[0] This event provided an opportunity for the candidates to address donors and local party leaders and gain support leading up to the crucial caucuses in the state.[1]
Thirteen candidates took the stage at the dinner, including notable names such as Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Tim Scott, and Nikki Haley. The lineup also featured lesser-known candidates like businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd. However, one candidate, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, was notably absent from the event, as his campaign is focused on building a strong presence in New Hampshire.[2]
The presence of former President Donald Trump at the dinner was highly anticipated, as he made a rare appearance alongside the other candidates.[3] Trump's involvement in the event had been closely watched after he engaged in a public spat with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds over her neutral stance in the nomination contest.[4]
The dinner marked one of the largest campaign gatherings in Iowa so far in the 2024 election cycle, with 13 candidates in attendance.[4] Each candidate was given 10 minutes to address the crowd and make their case for why they should be the Republican nominee for president.[4]
However, the evening was not without controversy. Former Texas Rep. Will Hurd faced boos from the audience after he criticized Donald Trump, suggesting that Trump was only running for president to avoid prison. Hurd, a lesser-known candidate, struggled to make a mark on the national stage and is not expected to qualify for the first Republican primary debate.[5]
Meanwhile, across town, Vice President Kamala Harris attended a roundtable discussion about abortion rights with local activists.[4] Iowa recently enacted a law that would ban abortions as early as six weeks of pregnancy, drawing criticism from Harris and others who label it as “Republican extremism.”[4]
As the caucuses approach, the candidates will continue to campaign heavily in Iowa, as it is the first-in-the-nation Republican primary state. The nomination remains up for grabs, and candidates will have many opportunities to connect with voters and make their case for why they should be the Republican nominee.
Overall, the Iowa Republican party's Lincoln Dinner provided a platform for candidates to engage with donors and party leaders, showcasing their policy positions and campaign messages. With the 2024 election cycle in full swing, the event marked a significant moment in the race for the Republican nomination.
0. “GOP field converges on Iowa” The Hill, 28 Jul. 2023, https://thehill.com/newsletters/evening-report/4125726-gop-field-converges-on-iowa/
1. “Trump, DeSantis and top Republican candidates share stage at Iowa event” The Guardian US, 28 Jul. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/28/iowa-trump-desantis-scott-lincoln-dinner
2. “Trump’s polling lead and legal troubles loom over GOP presidential field as candidates collide in Iowa for critical audition” CNN, 28 Jul. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/28/politics/iowa-lincoln-dinner-republicans-trump/index.html
3. “Trump tells Iowa dinner ‘there is only one candidate' who can win back the White House and voters shouldn't ‘t” Daily Mail, 29 Jul. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12350641/Trump-tells-Iowa-dinner-one-candidate-win-White-House-voters-shouldnt-chance-DeSantis-GOP-candidate-point-legal-woes-gets-BOOED-offstage.html
4. “Presidential candidates converge on Iowa for a week full of events” ABC News, 27 Jul. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/presidential-candidates-converge-iowa-week-full-events/story?id=101716805
5. “Former GOP congressman Will Hurd gets booed off stage for saying Trump ‘is running to stay out of prison'” Yahoo News, 29 Jul. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/former-gop-congressman-hurd-gets-012150147.html
