Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed a unique idea to the Iowa Republican Party – allowing Florida Republicans to participate in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus. DeSantis made this suggestion at a campaign event in Muscatine, Iowa, where he received applause from the audience.

This concept is not entirely new. In 2020, the Iowa Democratic Party included registered Iowa voters residing in different parts of the country and even worldwide in their “satellite” caucuses. Florida had four satellite caucus locations – Port Charlotte, Pensacola Beach, Miramar Beach, and St. Petersburg.

However, the Iowa Republican Party has stated that they have no plans for such satellite caucuses. Kush Desai, the communications director for the Republican Party of Iowa, confirmed this decision.

On the Democratic side, there will be no satellite caucuses in 2024 due to President Joe Biden’s status as the incumbent. Iowa Democrats will not gather in person, but instead, they will conduct party business on January 15, as stated on the Iowa Democratic Party website. The presidential preferences of Iowa Democrats for next year will be cast entirely by mail. The official results will be announced on March 5, as reported by the Des Moines Register.

Governor DeSantis’ proposal to include Florida Republicans in the Iowa caucus aims to accommodate the significant number of Iowa residents who spend time in Southwest Florida. However, it seems this idea will not be implemented for the upcoming caucus.