Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is intensifying his efforts to challenge former President Donald Trump in the Iowa caucuses by relocating a significant portion of his campaign staff from Florida to Iowa. According to reports, approximately one-third of DeSantis' staff received instructions to move to Iowa following the second GOP debate. The campaign staff will be staying in temporary housing as they prepare for the first-in-the-nation caucuses on January 15th, effectively making Des Moines a secondary headquarters for DeSantis' campaign.

DeSantis' decision to move his staff to Iowa comes as he seeks to revamp his strategy in the state. His campaign aims to cover all 99 counties in Iowa, placing great importance on personal connections and retail politics. Winning in Iowa is crucial for DeSantis, as it would convey to voters that the Republican primary is essentially a two-man race between him and Trump. However, the numbers indicate that DeSantis has quite the challenge ahead of him. Real Clear Politics' average polling places DeSantis at a distant second with 16% support in Iowa, while Trump holds a commanding lead with 49.2%.

The DeSantis campaign has faced financial challenges in recent months, leading to staff layoffs in two mass exoduses over the summer. However, the campaign received a boost when donors contributed $15 million in the third quarter through various fundraising committees. This influx of cash has provided much-needed resources, enabling DeSantis to continue his fight in Iowa and other states. Campaign manager James Uthmeier expressed confidence in DeSantis, stating, "Anyone that knows Ron DeSantis knows that he is a fighter, a winner, and a leader."

Despite the recent fundraising success, reports suggest that the DeSantis campaign is still grappling with financial constraints. Aides revealed that they only have $5 million remaining for the primaries. To further bolster his chances in Iowa, the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down is also focusing its efforts on the state. An official from the PAC emphasized the significance of Iowa in the overall race, stating that "This entire race will start to be viewed through that Iowa lens."

As DeSantis diverts more resources to Iowa, it is evident that the state plays a critical role in his presidential bid. He trails behind Trump in opinion polls and recognizes that a victory in Iowa is necessary for his campaign to gain momentum. DeSantis is targeting the socially conservative community in Iowa, including evangelicals and faith-based voters, hoping to replicate the successes of previous Republican winners in the state. Unlike Trump, who prefers large rallies, DeSantis intends to actively engage with voters in Iowa's rural areas, visiting all 99 counties in the state.

In summary, Governor Ron DeSantis is making a significant push in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses by relocating a substantial portion of his campaign staff and investing more resources in the state. Despite trailing behind Donald Trump in opinion polls, DeSantis sees Iowa as a make-or-break opportunity to demonstrate his competitiveness in the Republican primary. With a focus on personal connections and visits to all of Iowa's counties, DeSantis hopes to rally support from the socially conservative community and secure a comeback victory in the state.