The Iowa State Fair began last week, with several top Republican contenders for the 2024 presidential nomination stopping by to woo voters.
Several candidates tried their hand at retail politics and charming voters in the Hawkeye State while eating fried foods and participating in fair activities. However, the prominence of former President Donald Trump, who enjoys a significant double-digit lead over his opponents as the front-runner, was undeniable, particularly as his supporters heckled some of his Republican opponents.
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Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has become the focus of Trump's ire as the only other candidate to break into double digits in national polling, faced some disruptions from protesters during his visit. While flipping pork chops at the famed pork tent, fans of the former president chanted, "We love Trump!"
Also during his pork tent appearance, a banner flew across the sky that read, "Be likable Ron!”
DeSantis ignored the heckling and continued to travel the fair with his family and participate in various activities.
Trump supporters chant “we love Trump” as DeSantis grills burgers on the other side of the building pic.twitter.com/xRRwV444rt
— Stephanie Murray (@stephanie_murr) August 12, 2023
Former Vice President Mike Pence took his turn chatting with voters at the event as well. During his visit, he was asked about Jan. 6, a subject that has proven difficult for many Republicans to navigate.
However, Pence was prepared to answer after being asked, “Why did you commit treason on Jan. 6?”
His answer didn't deviate from his previous statements on the subject. “There’s almost no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could pick the American president,” Pence explained. “The American presidency belongs to the American people.”
He reiterated that he chose the Constitution when Trump asked him to choose between it and the former president.
The questioner revealed himself to be a Democrat from Colorado, according to USA Today. He apparently chose to ask the question to force Pence to address the matter and doesn't believe the former vice president to be a traitor.
Pence additionally faced heckling from Trump supporters who shouted "traitor" and questioned his Christianity.
Some Trump supporters heckle Mike Pence as he arrives to a radio interview at the State Fair. “Pence is a traitor!” one yells. Appears like they were waiting for him. pic.twitter.com/0SDwI7d9d5
— Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) August 10, 2023
While Vivek Ramaswamy was greeted by large and enthusiastic crowds, he still faced some taunting from fair attendees. Ramaswamy has been vocal about his support of Trump throughout his various indictments and emphasizes building on Trump's legacy. He largely avoids any major criticisms of the former president.
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Despite this, outside of an interview that Ramaswamy was doing, two fairgoers held a large banner reading, "Eat a corndog, you coward." The Republican candidate is a vegetarian.
Two guys are holding a “EAT A CORNDOG, YOU COWARD,” sign outside a window where Vivek Ramaswamy is doing a radio interview. pic.twitter.com/BqlFzJuyU4
— Dylan Wells (@dylanewells) August 12, 2023
Candidates aren't done attending the fair. Throughout this week, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Texas congressman Will Hurd, Perry Johnson, and Ryan Binkley will join Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) for "fairside chats."