Polk County, Iowa — Comments from key Iowa Republicans make it clear a prominent GOP critic of former President Donald Trump faces a tough campaign in Iowa’s 2024 Caucuses if she runs for president.
Harriet Hageman, the Republican who defeated Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney in an August Primary, was the keynote speaker at a Polk County GOP fundraiser. Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann, the evening’s emcee, called Cheney a poor loser.
Kaufmann ridiculed those who’ve praised Cheney for her role on the committee investigating Trump’s actions as the U.S. Capitol was being attacked — as well as those who lamented her more than two to one ratio primary loss to Hageman.
Kaufmann asked the crowd rhetorically. Former Governor Terry Branstad, appointed by Trump to be U.S. Ambassador to China, says being in Trump’s corner has been a winning formula for Iowa Republicans.
State Senator Brad Zaun of Urbandale is the first Iowa elected official to endorse Trump in 2015 and he praised Hageman for defeating Cheney.
Republicans make up a sizable majority of voters in Wyoming and Hageman is virtually assured of winning Wyoming’s only seat in the U.S. House next month.
Hageman will continue campaigning with Iowa Republicans in Ottumwa, Cedar Rapids and Bettendorf.
