DES MOINES — This weekend, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst hosted more than 1,000 Iowans, including nearly 250 motorcyclists, at her annual Roast and Ride. The motorcycle ride benefitted the Freedom Foundation, a veterans helping veterans organization based in Cedar Rapids.
Ernst, who served in the Iraq War during her more than two decades in the Iowa Army National Guard, invited confirmed and potential GOP White House contenders to take part in her annual ride and ensuing rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Attendees included candidates running for President in 2024: Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Asa Hutchinson, Larry Elder, Perry Johnson, Vivek Ramaswamy, Vice President Mike Pence, Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Front-runner Donald Trump was not there.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Iowa’s entire Republican Congressional delegation joined the event.
“The road to the White House runs right through my Roast and Ride!” said Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). “While Democrats have given middle America the middle finger, Republicans know that Iowa is FIRST in the nation for a reason. What an incredible opportunity to bring eight of our presidential hopefuls to the Hawkeye state and give thousands of Iowans the chance to hear their plans to get our country back on track. Roast and Ride is THE event of 2023.”
(Photos via Ernst campaign)