The Iowa State Fair is in full swing. There will be no shortage of political candidates among the crowd. On Saturday, both of the two top Republican candidates will be there – Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.

Donald Trump is making a troll move on DeSantis by bringing members of the Florida congressional delegation who have endorsed him as his guests. I don’t think Iowans will pay much attention to the move. Iowans are an independent bunch who don’t want to be told what to do or for whom to vote, for that matter. They are famous for making up their minds late in the primary season.

Two can play that game. DeSantis is bringing Iowa state legislators who have endorsed him. He’s been racking up endorsements in early states by state politicians and that’s a smart move. Who are Iowans more likely to be swayed by – Iowa politicians they voted for and know or Florida members of the U.S. House of Representatives?

DeSantis will attend the fair with Iowa state Reps. Jon Dunwell, Dan Gehlbach, Bill Gustoff, Joshua Meggers, Henry Stone, Hans C. Wilz and Devon Wood, as well as state Sens. Adrian Dickey, Jesse Green, Amy Sinclair and Tom Shipley.

Asked about Trump’s plan while campaigning in Iowa Friday, DeSantis said he’s proud to have “so many Iowa leaders supporting us.”

“You know, people from Washington, that’s not my cup of tea. I was there for three terms, I didn’t drink the Kool-Aid. I’ve recovered from the experience,” he told reporters outside of the American Legion in Harlan.

Smart. Voters aren’t particularly thrilled with politicians in Washington, D.C. these days. In Iowa, in-state endorsers are highly coveted.

DeSantis received the endorsement of conservative Iowa radio show host Steve Deace on Friday. Deace said it is the first time he’s formally endorsed in the Republican primary. DeSantis has also received endorsements from a slate of sheriffs and sheriff deputies.

“Our voters, I think across the country, they’re not looking to Washington for leadership,” DeSantis said. “They understand D.C. is failing. So I think what they want to see is people in their communities, how are those folks looking? And I think it’s been very clear, whether it’s sheriffs, whether it’s members of the Iowa House, Iowa Senate, when they have to make a judgment about who the best nominee will be for the Republican Party, they’re overwhelmingly choosing me.”

DeSantis will join Governor Kim Reynolds for one of her “fair-side chat” Q&A series interviews Saturday. He will also join Reynolds, Senator Joni Ernst, and Rep. Zach Nunn to flip pork at the Pork Producers tent, a standard activity for candidates.

Trump is on the outs with Governor Reynolds over disparaging remarks he made against her when she announced her decision to not endorse any of the Republican candidates during the primary. That is very common for governors but Trump’s ego was bruised so he lashed out. She’s taken the high road and she said would be happy to interview him for her fair-side chat series. Trump is the only candidate coming to Iowa who has not agreed to do so.

Reynolds and DeSantis have a good relationship as fellow governors. She has gone out of her way, though, to appear neutral and do joint appearances with the candidates who come to her state.

Honored to have the support of this American hero: Bob Van Horn, the last living World War II veteran in Carroll County, Iowa. pic.twitter.com/2j8ij14DVl

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) August 11, 2023

I’m honored to receive the endorsement from the great @SteveDeaceShow

Like so many Iowans, Steve knows the time for excuses is over. We will get the job done in 2024! pic.twitter.com/RCIURzKbK4

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) August 11, 2023