Casey DeSantis made her solo debut in Iowa this week.
DeSantis charmed a crowd of conservatives with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds outside Des Moines on Thursday, pitching her husband as the “parents candidate.” (RELATED: Iowa's School Choice Success Can Serve as National Model)
The Des Moines Register reports:
In a packed barn in Johnston, DeSantis and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds swapped stories of motherhood and grandmotherhood, laughing about the difficulties of corralling kids in antique-laden governors' mansions.
But policy was the core of Thursday's event, as the governor and first lady touted “parental rights” policies passed in their states.
“It's one thing when your policies come after us, as mamas,” DeSantis said. “It's another thing when your policies come after our children. That's when the claws come out.
“We're mobilizing millions, millions of moms and grandmothers across the United States of America in defense of the innocence of our children and protecting the rights of parents. There are a lot of bad things going on. But I can tell you with what Gov. DeSantis has done, he will lead the charge, and he will clean house, and he will ensure that parents have the rights to be able to make the decisions that they think best for their family.”
But behind the smiling onstage, a sense of urgency has gripped the campaign, which trails former President Donald Trump by large margins nearly a month after its official launch. (RELATED: DeSantis Rolls Out Border Policy Platform During Texas Campaign Stop)
Steve Cortes, a spokesman for the pro-DeSantis Never Back Down super PAC, acknowledged Sunday that Trump was the “runaway front-runner.”
One Republican strategist told The Hill the comments signal “a very clear-eyed moment.”
“They realize they can potentially win this, and they are the only other game in town, but again, they are in a big hole.” (RELATED: What Do Trump's Rivals Genuinely Hope To Achieve?)
Thursday's appearance by Florida's first lady came after she outlined her husband's record on parental rights in a viral ad on behalf of Mamas for DeSantis.
Casey DeSantis played a similar role in her husband's reelection campaign.
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