DeSantis introduces himself to GOP voters in first week of campaign as war of words with Trump escalates

Des Moines, Iowa – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday capped off his first week on the presidential campaign trail as the final speaker at Sen. Joni Ernst's "Roast & Ride" event, which also hosted several other Republican presidential hopefuls. 

There, he condensed his usual 45-minute stump speech into just 10 minutes. He made clear overtures to the first presidential primary state, wrapped into his claim of electability in 2024. 

"There's no substitute for victory, and we need to dispense with the culture of losing that has been set by the Republican Party in recent years," DeSantis said. "Iowa shows that can be done. Florida shows it can be done."