Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is looking to woo farmers in the Hawkeye State by vowing his opposition to President Joe Biden's "heavy-handed push for electric vehicles."
DeSantis, in an opinion piece for the Des Moines Register on Saturday, laid out his belief that a "robust agriculture sector is a key part of a stronger America."
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"I oppose the Biden administration's heavy-handed push for electric vehicles. For many, such vehicles are impractical and unaffordable, undermining the economics of states like Iowa that rely on biofuels — while making Americans even more dependent on China. We will save the American automobile and will not let the government force you into buying an electric vehicle," DeSantis wrote.
He also offered to support Gov. Kim Reynolds’s (R-IA) request for gasoline with 15% ethanol to be sold year-round, in addition to protecting liquid fuels and pushing for gasoline with higher ethanol blends to ensure "America’s fuel economy is driven by moms in Marion, not bureaucrats in Washington."
DeSantis also said he would go after China for buying up American farmland and stealing agricultural technology, and would block ESG from influencing policy and harming farmers.
"China has also begun to actively steal agricultural data and technology. I will ensure our agriculture policies include protections against cyber espionage and IP theft. I will also focus on ensuring our agricultural infrastructure is safe from cyber-attacks and other disruptions that have targeted co-ops and meatpacking plants in recent years," DeSantis wrote.
The Republican presidential candidate also vowed to cut regulations and praised Iowa farmers for their "ingenuity and productivity."
"As president, I will cut regulations that hamstring our farmers, open new markets for our crops and livestock, incentivize growth and investment, modernize critical infrastructure, secure our agricultural sector from cyber threats, and offer targeted support to farmers where needed," DeSantis wrote.
"Iowa farmers’ ingenuity and productivity will continue to bear an essential witness to our nation’s spirit. Combined with the right leadership in Washington, that spirit will help fuel our great American comeback and end our nation’s decline," he concluded.
Former Democratic Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a longtime DeSantis critic, attacked the Florida governor's opinion piece by saying he "never understood how essential" Florida agriculture was.
"Don’t be fooled by the boots. Ron spent his entire political career alienating agriculture, demonizing our farmers & ranchers, & blaming farm workers for Covid outbreaks. He NEVER understood how essential Fla Ag is to our economy & national security," Fried posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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DeSantis's opinion piece in a local newspaper in Iowa comes as his campaign continues to make a big push in the Hawkeye State, which will hold the first contest of the 2024 GOP primary in January.
The Florida governor's Iowa strategy comes as former President Donald Trump's campaign in Iowa is reportedly sounding alarm bells about lagging behind competitors like DeSantis. Both DeSantis and Trump are set to attend the Iowa-Iowa State college football game on Saturday.