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Vice President JD Vance made his first Iowa appearance since assuming office on Tuesday, standing before a crowd of hundreds at Ex‑Guard Industries, a steel‑manufacturing plant in Des Moines. In a speech that blended policy talking points with personal appeals, Vance promoted the administration’s tax and tariff agenda and framed the GOP as the true champion of working‑class voters.
“This is not a normal election. This is not a normal political environment,” Vance said. “This is a contest between a party that wants to take all of your money and give it to illegal aliens and a contest between gentlemen like Zach Nunn who fight every single day for you.” He contrasted Nunn with the Trump administration, claiming both were “fighting for you instead of fighting against you.” Vance further praised Nunn as “one of those guys who does the right thing, not just when the cameras are on, but when the cameras are off, too.”
Addressing the economic pinch Iowa residents feel, Vance linked higher gasoline prices and soaring fertilizer costs to the nine‑week‑old war in Iran. “We got a little blip,” he acknowledged, adding that the administration is “working on it.” The vice president’s remarks highlighted how international conflict is reverberating in the everyday lives of Iowa farmers and drivers.
In a more personal moment, Vance visited Iowa Gold Star families before his public remarks. He spoke about the sacrifices of fallen soldiers, then turned to his own family, recalling a conversation with his six‑year‑old son, Vivek. “I would be so proud of him,” Vance said, “but also so terrified,” if his son ever chose to enlist, underscoring the human cost behind national defense.
The stop also served as a strategic test of Vance’s appeal to Iowa Republicans, who weigh early‑caucus states heavily when assessing presidential hopefuls. Republican political consultant Jimmy Centers said Vance “would probably be a straw‑poll winner of Iowa Republicans for 2028,” though he cautioned that voters will still consider other contenders. Former Iowa GOP activist Kim Schmett noted that former President Donald Trump’s “MAGA” movement remains strong in the state, suggesting potential competition from Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. The Iowa caucus, as the first contest in the Republican nomination calendar, will likely shape the trajectory of the 2028 race, making Vance’s early outreach a notable milestone in his political calculus.