Presidential Candidates Make Pitch to Iowa’s Social Conservatives

(Des Moines, IA) Saturday evening nearly 1500 Iowans attended the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition’s 15th annual Friends of the Family Banquet at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  The banquet included a presidential candidate forum that included former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), real estate magnate Donald Trump, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, former New York Governor George Pataki, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).

Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, and Ohio Governor John Kasich sent a video. U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush had surrogates speak on their behalf.  The candidate who didn’t attend Saturday night were at an event in Michigan.

Also in attendance were U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa), Congressman David Young (R-Iowa) and Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds.

It was apparent that the crowd favorites on Saturday night were Cruz, Huckabee and Jindal. Huckabee received the most spontaneous standing ovations as he pointed out the ongoing battle for religious liberty. Voters last night also favored Jindal’s aggressive tact toward Republican leadership in Washington, DC, Hillary Clinton and Trump.

“The heart and soul of the Iowa caucuses are the evangelicals, faithful Catholics and social conservatives in the room (Saturday night).  They will determine the next President of the United States. It was a pleasure to hear the candidates’ shared vision for the future of our country,” Steve Scheffler, president of the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition, said.

Watch videos of the speeches from presidential candidates and elected officials present:

Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania):

Donald Trump:

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa):

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa):

Congressman David Young (R-Iowa):

Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa):

Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds:

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee:

Huckabee also held a press avail after his speech:

Former New York Governor George Pataki:

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal:

Jindal gave a press avail after his speech:

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker:

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC):

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas):

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Shane Vander Hart

Editor & Founder at Caffeinated Thoughts

Shane Vander Hart is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caffeinated Thoughts.  He is also the President of 4:15 Communications, LLC, a social media & communications consulting/management firm.  Prior to this Shane spent 20 years in youth ministry serving in church, parachurch, and school settings.  He has also served as an interim pastor and is a sought after speaker and pulpit fill-in.  Shane has been married to his wife Cheryl since 1993 and they have three kids.  Shane and his family reside near Des Moines, IA.

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