DeSantis urges GOP to reject ‘losing culture’ at Feenstra Family Picnic.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Calls for Republican Party to Reject ‘Culture of Losing’

At the Feenstra Family Picnic hosted by Rep Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) delivered a powerful message to the Republican Party. He called for the party to reject the ‘culture of losing’ that has infected it in recent years. Speaking at the Dean Family Classic Car Museum on a cloudy Saturday afternoon, DeSantis emphasized the importance of strong leadership and a bold agenda to defeat the left in the country.

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DeSantis’s speech comes as he mulls a presidential campaign to dethrone former President Donald Trump’s hold over the GOP primary base. DeSantis and Trump held dueling events roughly 121 miles apart on Saturday night. The former president held a traditional campaign rally in Des Moines, while DeSantis spoke at a Republican Party Iowa fundraiser with Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann in Cedar Rapids.

Although DeSantis is not a candidate yet, he is widely expected to jump into the 2024 race sometime in mid-May. However, he’ll face an uphill climb to the nomination. Trump has consistently led most polls among potential GOP primary voters by double digits, while DeSantis has regularly finished in second place.

Allies of DeSantis Eager for Him to Launch Presidential Bid

Allies of DeSantis are eager for him to launch a presidential bid, with some already endorsing him in the primary. Ahead of DeSantis’s travels through Iowa, two high-profile Republicans endorsed him for president. Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair and House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl gave DeSantis their blessings on Thursday, per the Des Moines Register.

Never Back Down, a DeSantis-supporting super PAC, then unveiled a slew of endorsements from 37 Iowa state Republicans, a crucial boost in a state that holds one of the first nominating races next year. Feenstra, the host of the event during DeSantis’s second trip to Iowa, has not yet endorsed any candidate.

DeSantis Receives Standing Ovation Twice During Speech

DeSantis received a standing ovation twice during his speech — first when he arrived on stage and again when he spoke on the U.S. securing the southern border. While touting a prolific Florida legislative session, DeSantis made another sly dig at Trump. “And at the end of this day, governing is not about entertaining. Governing is not about building a brand or talking on social media and virtue signaling. It’s ultimately about winning and about producing results,” he said to applause.

Voters Remain Undecided on GOP Nominee

Voters at the picnic told the Washington Examiner they remain undecided on a GOP nominee and are waiting to learn more about candidates before deciding. “I have not even close made up my mind yet,” said Dennis Werkmeister, a 64-year-old business owner from Paullina, Iowa. But he did say that Republicans have “a good slate” of Republican candidates.

When reporters asked DeSantis when he would launch his 2024 presidential bid, he replied simply: “Stay tuned.”