Tucker Carlson to interview 2024 Republican candidates at Iowa midsummer confab

Several members of the crowded 2024 Republican presidential field will descend on Iowa for a gathering of social conservatives on Friday, July 14. The FAMiLY Leadership Summit will give GOP prospects the chance to talk up their candidacies about seven months before the 2024 first-in-the-nation voting Iowa caucuses.

The Des Moines event, which will last from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, consists of former Fox News host Tucker Carlson interviewing the Republican hopefuls. Confirmed interview subjects include Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who was also U.S. ambassador to the United Nations for nearly two years in former President Donald Trump’s administration. Haley is running against her old boss as Trump is trying to become the first return White House resident since President Grover Cleveland in 1893.

CALIFORNIA REPARATIONS: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROPOSAL BEING SENT TO THE LEGISLATURE

Carlson, now a host of videos on Twitter after parting ways with Fox News, will also interview ex-Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).

“National leaders, inspiring teaching — The FAMiLY Leadership Summit is YOUR chance to be among like-minded friends, to be encouraged, inspired, and equipped to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in America today. Be a part of cultural transformation!” says the event’s website.

For Haley, July 14 will be a busy campaign day. At 6 p.m., she’s set to appear at a fundraiser for GOP state Rep. Austin Harris of Iowa.

“Join @NikkiHaley and I on July 14th for my Inaugural Lakeside Bash on Lake Rathbun at Honey Creek Resort! There will be live music, grilled food, and horse-drawn carriage rides,” Harris tweeted on June 27.

“Sponsorship” levels go up to $5,000 for the Harris political fundraiser. That includes an open bar, per the event notification. Harris, 28, was elected to the Iowa House in 2022.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A campaign turning point in Trump’s backyard?

The action will move south in the days following at the Turning Point Action conference in Palm Beach, Florida. The event will take place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center from Saturday, July 15, at 4 p.m. to Sunday, July 16, at 2 p.m.

Former President Donald Trump won’t have to travel far from his Mar-a-Lago estate to speak, as is planned. Vivek Ramaswamy is the other confirmed speaker from the 2024 presidential field.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“Those who attend this one-of-a-kind, two-day event, will hear from dozens of the nation’s top leaders, network with thousands of likeminded attendees, and dozens of partnering organizations, and leave equipped with the knowledge and resources to make an impact in their communities ahead of the 2024 election,” per the Turning point Action website.

Tucker Carlson, fresh off of his Iowa gig interviewing 2024 GOP presidential candidates, also is slated to speak. So are Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL).

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson’s influence in Iowa presidential politics rises

Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) will host at least a pair of GOP 2024 prospects at an annual BBQ Bash. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have so far said yes to participating in the third annual Ashley’s BBQ Bash, on Aug. 6 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway and Expo Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Invitations were issued to all major Republican candidates, seeking the right to challenge President Joe Biden in November 2024.

Hinson is neutral about who should emerge as the GOP nominee from the field, which also includes Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, radio talk show host Larry Elder, ex-Rep. Will Hurd of Texas, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

Hinson, representing the northeastern Iowa 2nd Congressional District, is part of an all-GOP Hawkeye State congressional delegation for the first time since the 1950s. The former state lawmaker and local television anchor beat an incumbent House Democrat in 2020.

Hinson has met with several of the 2024 GOP hopefuls and is an increasingly influential political figure in the first voting state of the Republican nominating process. And Hinson is not the only Iowa Republican effectively playing political host for months to the large scrum of 2024 GOP candidates. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) and Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) have so far hosted or appeared with multiple presidential candidates several times, without backing anybody.