The last time Donald Trump campaigned in Des Moines, 3rd District Congressman David Young reportedly avoided the spectacle to campaign for re-election at a separate location. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who’s faced some withering criticism for backing Trump, wasn’t there either, although campaign staffers were passing out literature for him.
Grassley and Young were both on hand for Sen. Joni Ernst’s second annual Roast and Ride, which she hosted today at the Iowa State Fairgrounds with Trump as the event’s keynote speaker. But, along with 1st District Congressman Rod Blum, they dodged a photo-op with the GOP presidential nominee as other state party leaders joined him on stage this afternoon:
Iowa Republicans come back out to join Trump. Altho Young, Blum and Grassley didn't return. #RoastAndRide pic.twitter.com/xa4DuhlYdV
— Dave Price (@idaveprice) August 27, 2016
Trump joined on stage by Branstad, Ernst and King. Note: Chuck Grassley, actually up for reelection, steers clear. pic.twitter.com/I8G3GN5WLF
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) August 27, 2016
Grassley, Blum, and Young are all up for re-election this year. (During the event, Democratic super-PAC American Bridge 21st Century took advantage of Grassley’s uneasy relationship with Trump, reminding Twitter followers about Grassley’s decision to delay Supreme Court nomination hearings for Antonin Scalia’s successor until after the election, a position Trump supports and often mentions on the campaign trail.)
But Gov. Terry Branstad, who observers have speculated won’t seek re-election in 2018, continued to show his loyalty to Trump as one of the nominee’s recently appointed ag advisers (read more about the ties that bind Branstad and Trump in our ongoing series, The Trumpstad Report). He not only didn’t avoid Trump but embraced him:
Trump just hugged Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad at the end of his speech.
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) August 27, 2016
