My name is Mike Trenkamp. I live in Johnston. I’m a late 40s parent with kids in high school and college, worried about the real world they are walking into. I knocked on several hundred doors talking to conservatives for the recent school board election. As our conversations drifted to caucus politics, it became clear that the majority of these conservatives who voted for Trump three years ago, are now either undecided or have firmly moved on to supporting a different candidate in the upcoming caucus.
Personally, I had decided nearly a year ago that I would likely be supporting an alternative to Trump. I believe the consideration flow chart for all caucus conservatives looks like this.
1. Support Trump — Brought us MAGA, no wars and a strong economy for three years… then handed all that back and then some, by abdicating his leadership in response to a virus that many of us saw as a scam from nearly the very beginning, signing and encouraging the very legislation that paved the way for the wars, a crippled economy, open border, etc. Trump is completely unrepentant for his lack of leadership in 2020 and most of his supporters aren’t even asking him to explain what he might do differently next time. He didn’t drain the swamp, so now the swamp is draining him… and us.
2. Support someone else — I obviously am choosing this option… so my choices are:
A. Nikki Haley — LOL, make Romney, McCain, Jeb, McConnell GREAT AGAIN… no thanks.
B. Vivek Ramaswamy — Says nearly exactly what I want to hear a candidate say… and has absolutely no record of leadership or actually doing any of this stuff. I’d probably throw a Hail Mary and vote for Vivek if not for the next guy…
C. Ron DeSantis — Highly effective governor of our most important swing state the last five years. He has THE MOST IMPRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE RESUME OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS of any candidate we’ve ever had. Turned Florida dark red by passing our most pressing conservative legislation and reigning in his state’s most liberal corporate interests. Passing legislation protecting life, girls, jobs and freedom (at a time when freedoms were being completely stripped nationally). Bold conservative leadership addressing the most pressing social issues of our time, I could go on and on.
To me the choice is clear and easy, do you want more of “the show” from an 80-year-old who totally succumbed to the swamp last time… or do you want the guy who actually gets stuff done and can win?
I’m just one guy… I asked for some quotes from other Iowans I know who voted for Trump last time, but will be caucusing for DeSantis this time:
Missy Collins, Johnston mom and conservative political volunteer: “DeSantis is by far the best option now. Trump is so fixated on what he thinks he is owed. He would rather speak positively about Gavin Newsom than say something positive about DeSantis. He is a small-minded, easily offended 80-year-old who cares way more about himself, than uniting our party and the country.”
Clint Evans, Johnston School Board member: “Trump handed over the country to Fauci in 2020 and never took it back. He gave him a medal on his last day. He’s betrayed me on every reason I supported him — life, building the wall, draining the swamp, $4 trillion of new debt. His CARES ACT paved the way for what happened to him in 2020, and what is happening to our country now. I believe his warp speed killed my unborn grandchild, getting jabbed against my recommendation, and having a miscarriage slightly thereafter. Trump has no chance of winning the general. Independents despise him (no red wave), his endorsed candidates always lag behind other Republicans. Trump lost a debate to a house plant in 2020, and now he’s scared to debate or answer any real questions this time around. Ron Desantis is doing and has done everything Trump said he would do… and has proven he can win Independents and move his electorate to the right.”
Jenn Turner, Moms for Liberty Polk County Chapter Chair: “I thought Desantis was a great option when he initially announced, and I was looking forward to hearing Trump and DeSantis debate their vision for 2024. Unfortunately, Trump, his surrogates and social media have pushed me completely away from him. They are not interested in a vision for the future or learning from 2020. They are focused on ONLY what is best for Trump, even if not in our party’s or country’s best interest. I know many, many people who are moving away from Trump after supporting him previously and zero people who are moving toward him. DeSantis is a winner who has passed similar great legislation to what we have passed in Iowa. I could not be more impressed with Casey and his family as well.”
Derek Tidball, Johnston School Board member: “Trump has always cared primarily about Trump. In 2016 and 2020, that was OK because we were against the same opponent. In 2023, he is spending far more time attacking accomplished conservatives like DeSantis, Reynolds, etc. simply because they don’t adequately kiss his butt and pledge their loyalty. We don’t live in a monarchy. We don’t owe politicians anything. I am going to vote for who I think can win and has a history of passing legislation that I want passed. That person is obviously DeSantis, who has earned the vote of all Iowans by answering every question, going to every county, and has an incredible record of conservative accomplishment and governance.”
– Mike Trenkamp
No Mike TRUMP!!!!!!! TRUMP has the guts to do what needs to be done! Trump has 4 yrs experience and a WORLD LEADER AS WELL AS RESPECTED! DeSantis was playing shadow President in 2022? and earned NO RESPECT unlike TRUMP. TRUMP also fought Democrats and RINOS and had a Pandemic thrown at him from we all know where just to make him look bad but people have woken up now. The AMERICAN PEOPLE have awoken to the facts of 2020 and more to be REVEALED!!!! TRUMP WINS 2024!!!! Thanks Mike for stating what you feel though, I just feel that TRUMP is going to be our President unless we are all SURPRISED AGAIN!!!!!! AGAIN THANK YOU!!!!!