Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds took on heckling protestors during a conversation with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
On Saturday, DeSantis appeared in Iowa for Reynold’s “Fair-Side Chats” in which the Iowa governor is hosting a series of discussions with Republican presidential candidates at JR’s SouthPork Ranch between Aug. 10 and Aug. 18.
Since Thursday, the Iowa governor has spoken with fellow Republican presidential candidates Larry Elder, Doug Burgum, Mike Pence, and Miami, Florida Mayor Francis Suarez. Along with her Saturday discussion with DeSantis, Reynolds also spoke with Vivek Ramaswamy and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.
The Iowa State Fair showcases the best of Iowa and I get to show the 2024 GOP candidates what it’s all about!
Join us for my Fair-Side Chats and submit your questions for the GOP candidates here: https://t.co/eOWpfdIwzT pic.twitter.com/ygTTSOFTyd
— Kim Reynolds (@KimReynoldsIA) July 25, 2023
During DeSantis’ Saturday appearance, hecklers in the audience blew whistles and rang cowbells. Protestors wore shirts reading, “B—-es Get Stuff Done,” and “Be Gay Fund Abortion.”
DeSantis is on stage at the Iowa state fair — largest crowd of the candidates so far…including a few protesters who are ringing cowbells and blowing whistles: pic.twitter.com/NcWSi9BwuS
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) August 12, 2023
Event organizers reportedly responded to protestors by turning up the event’s sound system.
“Hey, you know what? We’re in Iowa! And in Iowa, we’re ‘Iowa Nice.’ So let’s give everyone the opportunity to hear our candidates,” Reynolds said, stopping the discussion to address heckling activists. “So we’ll stop until you do, but we’re all are going to have an opportunity to hear from each and every candidate.”
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One protestor and another attendee were involved in an altercation in which the protestor claimed she was assaulted.
“You can enjoy this affair or you can leave!” one officer reportedly yelled at the protestor. “We’re not going to do this!”
Getting rowdy at the DeSantis chat with Kim Reynolds. This happened a few minutes ago, another skirmish happened and law enforcement removed some to the back of the event pic.twitter.com/MCPFFVGfkk
— Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) August 12, 2023
Shortly after, the woman and another protestor were removed from the event by officers.
Protesters who had been blowing whistles and ringing bells during DeSantis interview get removed. pic.twitter.com/gtjdgoha3P
— David Weigel (@daveweigel) August 12, 2023
Former President Donald Trump was reportedly invited to speak during a “Fair-Side Chat,” though Trump did not appear on the schedule.
“I don’t invite her to events!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in July referring to the Iowa governor.
Reynolds will host former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, Ryan Binkley, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott on Tuesday, along with two other candidates on Friday.
