Iowa State Senator Scott Webster (R-Bettendorf) has announced his support of GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
The endorsement comes after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign had listed Webster as a DeSantis backer.
“Over the past few months, I’ve been able to get to know Vivek and learn how deeply we are aligned on the need to speak hard truths and find real solutions to the issues we face as a nation today,” Webster said in a press release. “Vivek has the knowledge and drive needed to bring the America First agenda to the next level while charismatically delivering an optimistic vision not heard since Ronald Reagan.”
DeSantis had noted Webster among some three-dozen Iowa legislators in his endorsement column in the days leading up to the Florida governor’s presidential launch last week in the Hawkeye State. It was not to be.
Webster told German-owned Politico that Ramaswamy is “the future of the Republican Party.” The Iowa lawmaker cited DeSantis’ heavy-handed attacks on Disney and Ramaswamy’s extensive outreach to him as reasons he changed his mind, according to the publication. He said he met with Ramaswamy for more than four hours on the same day DeSantis backer super PAC Never Back Down listed the senator on the endorsement lineup.
“Today I am proud to endorse Vivek Ramaswamyto be our next President and I encourage my colleagues, whether you previously endorsed another candidate or not, to join me in standing with Vivek,” Webster said.
Ramaswamy has essentially made Iowa a second home after launching his campaign in February. The 37-year-old Ohio businessman in late April announced that former Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman would serve as his Iowa co-chair. Chapman, who is currently CEO of Intralux Consulting, served as Iowa co-chair for Ted Cruz in 2016.
Late last month Ramaswamy’s campaign announced endorsements of nearly 50 New Hampshire Republicans. The list includes eight current state lawmakers, former GOP Senate candidate Kevin Smith and Salem, N.H., GOP Chairman Steve Goddu.
“I have said before, this isn’t just a political campaign, it’s a cultural movement. Our outsider grassroots movement is gaining momentum in the ‘Live Free or Die’ state and across the country,” the anti-woke crusader and political outsider said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the strong support we have received from so many conservative leaders and activists across New Hampshire.”
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M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.
Photo “State Senator Scott Webster” by State Sen. Scott Webster and “Vivek Ramaswamy” is by Vivek Ramaswamy.
