Newton, Iowa - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' campaign proudly announced on Saturday the successful completion of a longtime campaign pledge: a tour of all 99 counties in Iowa. This milestone achievement highlights DeSantis' commitment to the first-in-the-nation caucus state as he vies for a first-place finish, despite formidable contenders such as former President Donald Trump and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.

The statewide tour, affectionately dubbed the "Full Grassley" after Senator Chuck Grassley, has been a crucial aspect of the DeSantis campaign's strategy. The campaign has invested substantial resources, including time, personnel, and finances, to build a strong presence in Iowa. However, this election cycle poses a unique challenge that previous successful caucus campaigns did not face - the presence of a former president on the ballot, along with multiple state and federal indictments.

Despite holding only 26 events in Iowa since announcing his third White House bid, Trump continues to maintain a commanding lead in most Iowa polls. While DeSantis and his campaign, with significant support from super PACs, have maintained their focus on Iowa, the effectiveness of traditional Iowa campaign strategies in this modern campaign against Trump remains uncertain.

Nevertheless, embarking on the tour does not guarantee victory. Neither Mike Huckabee nor Rick Santorum, who completed 99-county tours in 2016, managed to maintain their winning momentum. In 2012, former Representative Michelle Bachmann came in sixth place despite visiting all of Iowa's counties in a hasty 10-day bus tour shortly before the January caucuses. Moreover, pastor Ryan Binkley claims to have been the first Republican candidate to canvass every county but is currently not registering in the polls.

DeSantis has crisscrossed Iowa during his county tour, primarily using the campaign bus belonging to his first super PAC, Never Back Down. A typical day on the campaign trail saw DeSantis making four to seven stops, including larger "meet and greets" where he delivered his full stump speech and engaged in Q&A sessions with Iowans. The rest of the day involved shorter visits to local coffee shops, small businesses, and farms.

Not all stops were of equal significance, particularly in terms of voter interaction. A visit to Wright County, for example, involved a private tour of a butcher shop with limited voter interaction. Other events, however, were designed to attract substantial crowds, even in rural counties. For instance, an event in Red Oak, home to Senator Joni Ernst, drew over 100 attendees at a local history museum, leaving latecomers with standing room only.

Out of DeSantis' 99 county visits, 87 first stops in a new county were open to the press, according to NBC News. An additional nine private events were hosted for DeSantis by Never Back Down, serving as his first visit to a new county. These private events ranged from church services and private farm tours to meetings with local elected officials. The campaign also organized three closed-door events that were not accessible to reporters.

DeSantis' spokesperson, Andrew Romeo, highlighted the significance of completing the "Full Grassley" and emphasized the importance of outworking and out-organizing the competition in winning the Iowa caucuses. Romeo expressed confidence in DeSantis' strong campaign model and regarded the completion of the county tour as yet another example of DeSantis' unmatched dedication.

DeSantis' Iowa campaign strategy extends beyond the "Full Grassley." In November, he secured endorsements from influential Republican leaders in the state, including Governor Kim Reynolds and conservative powerbroker Bob Vander Plaats. Since formally endorsing DeSantis, Reynolds has made multiple appearances on the campaign trail, introducing the governor at events, taking selfies with supporters, and urging Iowans to participate in the upcoming caucuses on January 15.

Vander Plaats' network of supporters is also considered a significant asset for DeSantis, potentially playing a crucial role in voter turnout. However, even with these endorsements, DeSantis faces an uphill battle to challenge Trump's dominance. The most recent NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom survey, conducted before DeSantis' endorsements and the completion of his county tour, revealed Trump with a 27-point lead over DeSantis, with Haley in second place.

As the caucuses draw near, the competition for a podium finish has intensified. Haley has gained momentum from strong debate performances and endorsements, positioning her as a formidable challenger. However, she has held only 27 events in Iowa compared to DeSantis' 108 stops since May 23. Haley's campaign has focused more on New Hampshire, Iowa's early-voting counterpart. Haley's team claims she has held 60 events in Iowa since launching her campaign in February.

DeSantis' supporters hope that his extensive time spent on the ground in Iowa will solidify his position against Haley's recent surge. Independent voter David Hansen, who attended DeSantis' 98th county visit, expressed optimism that DeSantis's comprehensive tour demonstrated his commitment to Iowa communities. Similarly, supporter Shawn Robinson from Audubon County emphasized the importance placed by rural Iowans on candidates making efforts to connect with them.

Though Trump's visits to Iowa have been limited in comparison to DeSantis, his enduring support within the Republican Party and his ability to rally against GOP opponents give him an edge. Reynolds and Vander Plaats, who have endorsed DeSantis, have faced criticism from the former president for their role in blocking his route to the 2024 GOP nomination.

With just over a month left until the Iowa caucuses, DeSantis faces a significant challenge in eclipsing Trump's lead and outperforming Haley. While the completion of the 99-county tour is a major accomplishment, DeSantis must navigate a competitive landscape and capitalize on the support he has garnered from influential Iowa leaders to secure a favorable outcome on caucus day.