Des Moines Register Political Soapbox hosted 13 presidential hopefuls at the Iowa State Fair

As campaigning for the 2024 Iowa caucuses heated up, the Des Moines Register hosted presidential hopefuls at its Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair.

The Register invited nearly 20 candidates who were seeking the Democratic, Libertarian or Republican nomination for president to speak to fairgoers. Candidates had to meet certain eligibility criteria such as campaign activity, political experience and fundraising before receiving an invitation.

This year, 13 presidential candidates took the Soapbox stage.

At the Soapbox, the hopefuls are offered 20 minutes, a microphone and a crowd eager to listen to political pitches.

The event, held along the Grand Concourse in front of the Horner Service Center, has become an Iowa tradition that also puts the state on the national stage.

While candidates often don cowboy boots, eat giant turkey legs in the hot August sun and mingle with fairgoers, the Soapbox provides a space for real political discussion. Face-to-face with Iowans, candidates explain and defend their policy positions in front of a live audience.

Coverage from the 2023 Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair

Republican Asa Hutchinson, Saturday, Aug. 19

• Article: Asa Hutchinson credits Iowa State Fair with getting him near GOP presidential debate stage

• Gallery: GOP presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson visits the Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox

Libertarian Chase Oliver, Saturday, Aug. 19

• Article: Libertarian presidential candidate Oliver in Iowa calls for 'cultural war ceasefire'

• Gallery: Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver speaks at the Des Moines Register's Soapbox

Republican Will Hurd, Friday, Aug. 18

• Article: Will Hurd doubles down on Trump criticism in Iowa, but this time hears cheers, not jeers

• Gallery: Will Hurd, Republican presidential candidate, speaks at the Register's Political Soapbox

Republican Ryan Binkley, Saturday, Aug. 12

• Article: Ryan Binkley says at Iowa State Fair his campaign is growing and Trump isn't the answer

• Gallery: Republican presidential candidate Ryan Binkley at the Des Moines Register's Soapbox

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Saturday, Aug. 12

• Article: Rising GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy preaches 'truth' campaign at Iowa State Fair

• Gallery: Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy at the Des Moines Register's Soapbox

Democrat Marianne Williamson, Saturday, Aug. 12

• Article: Marianne Williamson wants to debate Joe Biden so Democrats can see options for president

• Gallery: See photos of Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson at the Des Moines Register's Soapbox

Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Saturday, Aug. 12

• Article: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledges at Iowa State Fair to restore middle-class prosperity

• Gallery: Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy at the Des Moines Register's Soapbox

Republican Nikki Haley, Saturday, Aug. 12

• Article: Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley says we 'have to stop demonizing' women who have abortions

• Gallery: See photos of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley at the Des Moines Register Soapbox

Republican Francis Suarez, Friday, Aug. 11

• Article: Francis Suarez, with GOP debate deadline looming, makes big-city pitch at Iowa State Fair

• Gallery: See photos of GOP presidential candidate Francis Suarez at the Des Moines Register's Soapbox

Republican Perry Johnson. Friday, Aug. 11

• Article: Perry Johnson projects confidence at the Iowa State Fair about making the first GOP debate

• Gallery: Perry Johnson at the 2023 Des Moines Register's political soapbox

Republican Larry Elder, Friday, Aug. 11

• Article: Larry Elder asks Iowa fair-goers for donations as he scrambles to get in the GOP debate

• Gallery: See photos of GOP presidential candidate Larry Elder at the Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox

Republican Doug Burgum, Thursday, Aug. 10

• Article: GOP candidate Doug Burgum leans on energy policy prowess in Iowa State Fair campaign pitch

• Gallery: See photos of Doug Burgum at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox

Republican Mike Pence, Thursday, Aug. 10

• Article: Mike Pence pushes back after Iowa State Fair attendee accuses him of 'treason' on Jan. 6

• Gallery: GOP presidential candidate Mike Pence speaks at the Des Moines Register political soapbox

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 2023 Des Moines Register Political Soapbox hosted 13 presidential hopefuls