DeSantis: 'The people that are working hard, if they can't get ahead, this country isn't going to work'

About 50 people gathered Thursday at American Legion Post 721 in Coralville to hear from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The campaign stop was part of his efforts to garner Iowans' support ahead of the January caucuses.

DeSantis spoke about a variety of topics during his hour-long visit from veterans affairs, policies he had supported during his tenure as Florida's governor, including initiatives to quickly reconstruct bridges off the coast of Florida following Hurricane Ian, as well as his response during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also spoke of the opposition he faced from Disney over laws restricting instruction of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.

DeSantis criticized the national debt, inflation and spoke about the need for American energy independence in response to a question about the economy.

"The people that are working hard — getting the most out of their god-given ability — if they can't get ahead, this country is not going to work," he said.

DeSantis rounded out his day of meet and greets in Ainsworth, Iowa, and will resume Iowa campaign events Dec. 29, after the holidays.

The Iowa Caucus will be held Jan. 15 at various sites throughout the state. Registered Republications of eligible voting age, or those who will be old enough to vote by the November 2024 election, are eligible to participate.

Julia Hansen is an Iowa City Press-Citizen and Des Moines Register photographer.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: DeSantis criticizes national debt in Coralville visit