Des Moines, Iowa — A dozen Republican presidential candidates have agreed to have Governor Kim Reynolds interview them at the Iowa State Fair.
Reynolds is calling the 12 interviews Fair Side Chats. Former President Donald Trump has not accepted the governor’s invitation to join her on the fairgrounds, but the news release announcing the schedule indicated it is subject to change. Last week, the governor told reporters at the statehouse that she plans keep the questions consistent rather than tailored to each candidate.
Her staff has set up a website, so Iowans can submit questions, too. Reynolds says she’s glad for the opportunity to introduce her party’s presidential candidates to Iowans at an event that’s near and dear to her heart.
Reynolds says the state fair is the perfect venue for the candidates.
On the first day of the fair — Thursday, August 10th — former radio talk show host Larry Elder will appear with Reynolds. On the first Friday of the state fair, Reynolds will interview North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former Vice President Mike Pence and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. On Saturday, August 12th, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are on the schedule. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Texas pastor Ryan Binkley and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott will speak with Reynolds on Tuesday, August 15th. On the last Friday of the fair — August 18th — Michigan businessman Perty Johnson and former Texas Congressman Will Hurd will join Reynolds on a stage at JR’s Southpork Ranch, a food and beverage hall on the fairgrounds, near the Dairy Barn.
Donald Trump has campaigned at the Iowa State Fair before. In 2015, he flew a helicopter over the fairgrounds and later walked through the crowds on the same Saturday Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were making appearances at the state fair.
