Exploring Alternatives: Trump Voters' Quest 40 Days Before Iowa Caucuses
40 days until Iowa caucuses: Trump, DeSantis, and Haley campaigns intensify their efforts as undecided GOP voters enter a critical decision-making phase, shaping the future of the race
Sally Hofmann, a conservative Christian, has been reflecting and seeking guidance through prayer regarding the Republican presidential race. "I pray for the candidates," she expressed, emphasizing the significance of the outcome and the impact it will have on the country.
The Iowa caucuses are scheduled to take place on January 15, with Republicans meeting in local precincts statewide. However, it is in December that undecided voters are expected to make their decisions, creating a sense of urgency for the campaigns of Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and others, who have a limited 40-day window to persuade voters. Hofmann, a Trump supporter who voted for him twice, has now made a new choice after considering him earlier this fall.
A season of choosing
Hofmann expressed her leanings towards DeSantis in an interview in the living room of her farmhouse outside Cedar Rapids, stating, "I think I'll go that direction. I'm thankful for what Trump did when he was in office, but I've been a little bit disappointed in Trump lately."
As autumn gives way to winter, it's a time of political decision-making for Republicans participating in the initial phase of the party's presidential nomination. This is a crucial moment for DeSantis and Haley to demonstrate that the primary is a genuine competition, not simply a formality for Trump.
There is no question that Trump continues to be a powerful force in the campaign. He made his second visit to Iowa in four days on Tuesday, strategically working to maintain his influence and prevent former supporters like Hofmann from breaking away.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley addresses a gathering during a campaign stop at a brewery on November 29, 2023, in Meredith, New Hampshire.
Charles Krupa/AP
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The party faithful's weariness with the former president, once a taboo topic, is now openly expressed in conversations with Republicans like Roger Dvorak. He has displayed a Haley campaign sign in his Cedar Rapids home, hoping that she will secure the nomination. "I would like to see her get the nomination. She's a woman with empathy," Dvorak said of the former South Carolina governor. He admires her attentive and honest approach to answering questions, even when the answer may not be what you want to hear.
Dvorak's choice to endorse Haley is also driven by his apprehension about Trump and the ongoing criminal investigations against him. He is of the opinion that the nation cannot afford the distraction.
"I can't say for sure whether he's innocent or guilty. Only time will tell," Dvorak remarked. "But I simply don't believe he can effectively lead the country."
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Elevating an underdog or humbling a front-runner
The question is how many Iowa Republicans are inclined to go against the grain of their Trump-controlled party as they make their final decisions.
Traditionally, the caucuses have been a means of narrowing a large group of candidates rather than selecting the eventual nominee. Many caucusgoers value the opportunity to support underdogs or deflate frontrunners.
In the last few weeks, there have been very few reliable polls, leaving one Republican strategist to compare the situation to "flying blind" due to the numerous new developments in the race. Towards the end of October, Trump maintained a significant lead of over 25 percentage points over DeSantis and Haley in an Iowa poll conducted by The Des Moines Register.
Its unknowable whether that snapshot still offers an accurate view of the state of play.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, speaks during an event for his GOP presidential campaign as his wife Casey DeSantis looks on, on December 1, 2023, in Prosperty, South Carolina.
Meg Kinnard/AP
DeSantis completes his 99-county tour in Iowa, where he began, fully committed despite being far behind Trump in this crucial state.
Marvin Goodyk, a Republican from central Iowa who recently switched his support to DeSantis, echoed the feelings of many voters when he stated that he was not influenced by polls.
Goodyk expressed doubt about the accuracy of the polls, stating, "They've lied to me before." She added, "It's not over until it's over. And if Trump wins, then okay, I'll go that way."
Karen Hanna, a two-time Trump voter who had been considering voting for him again, recently chose to support DeSantis. She cited concerns about "all of the things that Trump is going through with the courts."
"Haley is nice, but I prefer Ron DeSantis," Hanna mentioned on Sunday, while attending a DeSantis event at a coffee shop in Eldridge. "She has good ideas, but I align more with his values. He represents what I believe in."
For non-Trump candidates, even competing for second place is significant. The margin of victory - or defeat - is a vital indicator of whether a campaign will progress beyond Iowa or New Hampshire, which will host the first-in-the-nation GOP primary on January 23rd.
Reaching a decision
Hofmann, despite her busy schedule with church activities and her seven grandchildren, has probably been more engaged in the race than many other Iowans, but she is not considered a Republican insider. She has skipped watching any of the presidential debates, as they have been scheduled on Wednesdays, a day when many Christians typically participate in church events.
She has not attended a single campaign rally. The candidates were only seen once, from her seat at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition dinner in September. At that point, she was deciding between Trump, Haley and DeSantis.
Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader, speaks at the Thanksgiving Family Forum on November 17, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jim Vondruska/Getty Images
Iowa evangelical figure Bob Vander Plaats has thrown his support behind DeSantis' presidential aspirations. Despite not being actively involved in the campaign, she has kept up with news and candidate positions. The endorsements of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Vander Plaats caught her attention.
Hofmann expressed her respect for them, stating that it influenced her decision, but ultimately, she conducted her own research before making up her mind. Ultimately, she decided to support DeSantis due to his staunch anti-abortion stance and conservative track record as Florida governor. She also valued his support for Israel.
She stated that her conservative friends have complicated feelings towards Trump. "I have friends who are still supportive of Trump," Hofmann said. "But I also have friends who are very disappointed in him. They don't see him as the man of integrity they would want as president. I agree with some of those sentiments."
She stated, "The more I observed Trump, the more disheartened I became by him." However, she mentioned that she would back him if he were to become the nominee - a feeling echoed by numerous Iowa Republicans interviewed by CNN. Nevertheless, Trump was not her preferred candidate at the moment, and she wished for Iowa to ignite a new path for the country.
"I think its more of a wide-open race," Hofmann said. "It wont surprise me if Trump gets it, and it wont surprise me if he isnt the nominee."
CNNs Jeff Simon contributed to this report.
