Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis brought his campaign to Iowa’s premier college football game Saturday.
DeSantis walked through the crowds tailgating outside of Jack Trice Stadium.
Volunteers with his super PAC, Never Back Down, followed him about, chanting “we want Ron” and “make American Florida,” according to the Des Moines Register.
Videos posted to X show DeSantis and his entourage walking through the crowds.
And while there were some chants for DeSantis, others on social media noted that the Florida Governor was getting just as many jeers and taunts.
In one version of the video, a woman’s voice can be heard saying, “This is what stupid looks like.”
Ron DeSantis has arrived to a tailgate with a posse in tow pic.twitter.com/1eTLpbZSYx
— Galen Bacharier (@galenbacharier) September 9, 2023
Omg. A woman at the end of the video: “and this is what stupid looks like”
— Karoline Leavitt (@kleavittnh) September 9, 2023
In speaking to reporters, DeSantis said his strategy of showing up will help in in the January caucuses, according to the Quad City Times.
“We got a lot more to do, but we’re actually putting in the work that you need to to be able to win,” DeSantis said.
“I’m actually starting to hear a lot of people say, because you’re showing up I’m supporting you. Because that’s the way you got to do it,” he said.
DeSantis joined Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a graduate of Iowa State, for the game.
While Trump sits behind glass box seats at the Iowa-Iowa State football game, Ron DeSantis and Kim Reynolds watch the game with @CarsonKing2 and fans pic.twitter.com/hKEVdQiAO4
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 9, 2023
Asked which team he supported, DeSantis, speaking of Reynolds, replied, that he was “not going to do anything to upset her.”
As he walked through the crowd, DeSantis commented “Probably a bit more civilized than the Florida-Georgia game down in Jacksonville,” DeSantis said, according to the Register. “Which is good.”
Wow. Rough day for @RonDeSantis who is having a tailgate at the Iowa versus Iowa State football game today. Tons of people have already arrived in their Trump jerseys and Trump hats!
Doesn’t look like a Ron DeSantis has any support at the football game today where both he and… https://t.co/rxy7OPcEvp pic.twitter.com/iHwKVZ7mgB
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 9, 2023
Former President Donald Trump was also at the game, as were many of his supporters.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson also walked through the crowds outside the game.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.