Four 2024 Republican presidential candidates are almost certain to address social conservatives at a prominent Nov. 17 event: Gov. Ron DeSantis (FL), former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (SC). But participation by the field's leader by a wide margin, former President Donald Trump, is an open question.
The FAMiLY Leader Foundation's 2023 presidential Thanksgiving forum offers a prime opportunity for the GOP hopefuls to tout their social conservative bona fides less than two months before Iowa's Jan. 15 kickoff caucuses. Social conservatives are a key constituency in the Iowa caucuses, dating back to the late 1970s.
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The 2024 Iowa caucuses this cycle only really matter on the Republican side since Democrats have banished the event to the middle of their nominating calendar, with President Joe Biden facing only token Democratic primary opposition from Rep. Dean Phillips (MN) and self-help guru Marianne Williamson.
The Thanksgiving FAMiLY Forum at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown — 700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309 — begins at 3 p.m. Central time. The final speaker lineup is still being worked out, but Trump seems the least likely to show up. The former president so far in the 2024 cycle has picked his spots to campaign in with good reason. Polls show him with leads of 25 points or more over his closest "rivals" — usually DeSantis or Haley, who was the United States ambassador to the United Nations for nearly two years in the Trump administration.
Still, event organizers are trying to impress the importance of Republican candidates participating.
"Truly, this is a one-of-a-kind event," FAMiLY Leader Foundation President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats said in a statement. "The Thanksgiving FAMiLY Forum gives us a chance to see what's in the candidates' hearts, not just what's in their plans. And coming shortly before the holiday season, it may be the last, best chance to really understand what makes these leaders tick before Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses."
The FAMiLY Leader Foundation held similar Republican candidate forums in 2011 and 2015, ahead of the Iowa caucuses early the next year. The latter election season saw Trump, a business tycoon, television celebrity, and first-time candidate, emerge as the 2016 Republican nominee.
This time, though, Vander Plaats doesn't seem thrilled at the prospect of Trump being the 2024 Republican standard-bearer.
Vander Plaats, who has run for Iowa governor or lieutenant governor several times, on Nov. 5 gave tacit approval to an endorsement of DeSantis by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA), who had been neutral in the GOP fight.
"@IAGovernor is without question Iowa’s most popular Governor in generations. Combine her popularity with her campaign tenacity and she will be a force for @GovRonDeSantis. #ChooseWell2024," Vander Plaats posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Nor does Vander Plaats seem to think Trump has the GOP nomination fight locked up. Particularly with Trump's efforts to talk down his anti-abortion stance after a series of state ballot initiatives went the other way.
"Iowa is wide open. I believe most Iowans, when they open their eyes, will realize @realDonaldTrump is not with them on many core issues. Life being one of them. #ChooseWell2024," Vander Plaats wrote on X on Nov. 1.
Nor does Vander Plaats seem to consider Trump a strong 2024 general election nominee in a race that also features independent candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the political scion and COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theorist, and far-left academic Cornel West.
"@realDonaldTrump wins by the power of division. Translation, if he’s our nominee, there will continue to be a very divided @GOP. This division makes it nearly impossible to win White House. #ChooseWell2024," Vander Plaats posted on X on Oct. 30.
Local Iowa and Nevada Republican events abound
Local Iowa Republican gatherings are becoming increasingly important for 2024 Republican presidential hopefuls, two months ahead of the Jan. 15 kickoff caucuses. For instance, Ramaswamy is set to headline a Nov. 16 Council Bluffs Regional Reception in the Hawkeye State's southwest corner, across the Mississippi River from Nebraska (more on the candidate event below).
Additional events listed offer decent chances of candidate sightings, with 2024 GOP presidential hopefuls having increasingly urgent needs to connect with local and regional Republican activists. And, just as important, possible donors.
Wednesday, Nov. 15
Republican Women of Las Vegas Meeting
Lawry’s Prime Rib
4043 Howard Hughes Pkwy.
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89169
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Pacific time
Washoe Republican Women Meeting
Rattlesnake Club
606 W. Plumb Lane
Reno, Nevada, 89509
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Pacific time
Active Republican Women — Las Vegas
Red Rock Country Club
2250 Red Springs Dr.
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89135
5:30-8 p.m. Pacific time
Thursday, Nov. 16
Iowa GOP — Council Bluffs Regional Reception with Vivek Ramaswamy
Hilton Garden Inn Omaha East/Council Bluffs
2702 Mid America Dr.
Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51501
5-6 p.m. Central time
Union County GOP — Central Committee Meeting
119 N Walnut St.
Creston, Iowa, 50801
6-7 p.m. Central time
Emmet County GOP — Central Committee Meeting
421 1st Ave N.
Estherville, Iowa, 51334
6:30-7:30 p.m. Central time
Black Hawk County GOP — Central Committee Meeting
3420 University Ave.
Waterloo, Iowa, 50701
7-8 p.m. Central time
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Sac County GOP — Central Committee Meeting
101 E 1st St.
Schaller, Iowa, 51053
7-8 p.m. Central time
Boulder City Republican Women Monthly Meeting
The Patio at Chilly Jilly’z
1680 Boulder City Pkwy.
Boulder City, Nevada, 89005
10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Pacific time