The increasing heat of the Republican presidential primary sees many White House aspirants dedicating their time to campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire, where the nomination process begins early next year. However, this is not the case for Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, is slated to address over 1,500 Republicans at Nashville’s Music City Center this Saturday, and soon after, the former president will be in Alabama headlining the state GOP’s biggest summer event.
Trump, the early GOP frontrunner, and DeSantis, his closest competitor, have been active in states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina that initiate the Republican contest, often appearing together on the same day. But they are going further than their fellow candidates, enhancing their positions in states like Tennessee and Alabama, which are due for elections on the renowned Super Tuesday, when the most delegates are up for election in the primary cycle.
DeSantis and Trump, who have amassed substantial funding for their campaigns, are the only candidates with the means to significantly engage beyond the early stages, a strategy that GOP leaders endorse.
Scott Golden, chairman of the Tennessee GOP, acknowledges that while many are focused on Iowa and New Hampshire, it is crucial to spend time in Tennessee, especially as early voting begins in mid-February before South Carolina holds its contest.
Super Tuesday, next scheduled for March 5, is a crucial event for presidential candidates as it can make or break campaigns. This day tests movements’ organizational and financial prowess, with about 14 primaries across a broad geographical region, providing an opportunity for the remaining candidates to boost their delegate count.
Trump and DeSantis have been securing key endorsements in Super Tuesday states, ramping up staff hires, and preparing supporters for door-to-door campaigns, demonstrating their confidence in their longevity in the race. Current public polls show Trump leading comfortably, followed by DeSantis, with the remaining candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence, trailing.
However, focusing on Super Tuesday states doesn’t assure a nomination victory. For instance, in the 2020 Democratic presidential race, Mike Bloomberg’s strategy to bypass early contests and focus on Super Tuesday states didn’t pan out despite spending over $500 million, as he ended up significantly behind Biden in the delegate count.
Other candidates, such as former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, have also visited Super Tuesday states, but their campaigns are heavily concentrated in the early states. Pence mainly targets Iowa, and Christie is banking on New Hampshire’s independent-minded voters, while Haley and Scott are counting on South Carolina, their home state.
In contrast, Trump and DeSantis have the financial backing to run a broader campaign. For example, Trump raised over $35 million in this year’s second quarter alone, while DeSantis gathered $20 million just six weeks after declaring his candidacy.
John Wahl, Alabama Republican Party Chairman, acknowledged Alabama’s unique relationship with Trump, pointing out the significant support Trump received in his 2016 GOP primary and general elections. He noted that states like Alabama allow candidates to showcase their support among conservative voters, which is essential for the Republican Party.
DeSantis and his supporting super PAC, Never Back Down, are leaving no stone unturned. They plan to spend $100 million on the groundwork for the first 18 states, including the early states and Super Tuesday states, employing state campaign directors and initiating door-to-door campaigns, aiming to gather 2,600 supporters by Labor Day.
Erin Perrine, the spokesperson for the PAC, emphasized the importance of connecting with voters personally, saying that this strategy has helped convert Trump supporters to DeSantis.
Despite Trump and DeSantis having substantial backing in the Super Tuesday states, the race remains unpredictable, highlighting the importance of long-term strategizing and preparedness, as Oklahoma GOP Chairman Nathan Dahm suggested.
As the 2024 presidential race unfolds, the strategies employed by candidates will continue to be a topic of immense scrutiny. The dynamics of the race could change rapidly, and the focus on Super Tuesday states by Trump and DeSantis could either prove to be a winning strategy or an overextension. Regardless, the coming months will offer a clearer picture of how these strategies resonate with voters. As Trump and DeSantis look beyond the early states, it remains to be seen how this will influence other candidates’ campaigns and the overall nomination process.
