Republican presidential candidates gather in Iowa, former President Trump absent

Hundreds of people gathered in Iowa to hear the main candidates aiming to win the race within the Republican party to be the official presidential nomination. Republican candidates aim to expand their base of supporters by winning the popular vote in this state, which is usually a hotbed of electoral battles. However, the absence of the main Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, was felt in this activity.

Almost all the Republican candidates hoping to run in the 2024 presidential election were in Iowa on Saturday to participate in an event organized by Senator Joni Ernst.

"The road to the 2024 election goes through Iowa,"  said the Republican senator.

The first of the candidates to speak was fellow senator from South Carolina, Tim Scott.

"The time has come to have a president who not only believes in America, but who has also experienced the American dream," said Senator Scott.

President Biden was also criticized by the former governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson.

"I'm running for president because Joe Biden's policies are the wrong direction for America ," said Mr. Hutchinson.

The governor, Ron DeSantis, pointed to his accomplishments in Florida.

 "In Florida we chose facts over fear, we chose education over indoctrination, we chose law and order over riot," he said.

Former Governor Nikki Haley also raised social issues during her speech.

"The idea that we have boys playing on girls' sports teams is the biggest women's rights issue of our time," Ms Haley said.

Former President Trump, who continues to lead in the polls, was conspicuously absent from the event.

However, former Vice President Mike Pence was present there, who is expected to announce his candidacy next week, while trying to distance himself from his former superior.

"We must resist the politics of personality and the lure of populism, to keep more of the conservative principles that stand the times," Mr. Pence said.

The first round of primary voting for the Republican Party will be held in Iowa, in early 2024.