A parade of Republicans who’ve said they may run for president will speak at an event on Saturday in Des Moines.
The speaking schedule for Congressman Steve King’s “Iowa Freedom Summit” includes a retired surgeon, two people who’ve made their mark in the business world and four people who are either in congress now or who used to serve there. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is one of the half dozen current or former Republican governors who’ll speak.
“My belief is talking to voters here in state and around the country is that people want someone new, someone fresh with big, bold ideas from outside of Washington,” Walker said during an interview with Green Bay, Wisconsin radio station WTAQ.
Walker will tout what he calls the “Wisconsin comeback” — something he said some of the other would-be candidates can’t match.
“And we need leaders who are not looking to grow things in Washington, but looking to grow the economy in towns and villages and cities all across the United States,” Walker told WTAQ.
The other speakers at Saturday’s event who have state-level chief executive experience are New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Sarah Palin of Alaska and Jim Gilmore of Virgina as well as Rick Perry, whose 14-year run as governor of Texas ended earlier this week. Another Texan, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, is among the afternoon’s speakers, along with Utah Senator Mike Lee, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and businessman Donald Trump, the host of his own reality TV show, will be there, too. Dr. Ben Carson gained notice in conservative circles with his speech at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast and he will speak at Saturday’s event as well.
(Reporting in Wisconsin by Robert Kennedy of WTAQ; additional reporting by Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson)