The Epoch Times recently traveled through the state of Iowa, attending events where four leading candidates spoke. Despite appearances, Iowa is not entirely flat. The state features tall bluffs along its rivers, rolling forests, and golden hills where birds of prey soar. Iowa’s elevation gradually rises from the southeast to the northwest, giving a preview of the High Plains and Rocky Mountains further west. The Epoch Times embarked on a tour of Iowa to hear from the top candidates and witnessed a surge in support for former President Donald J. Trump, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lost ground. As of Oct. 12, President Trump held a strong lead with 50.3 percent of the poll average, compared to DeSantis’ 17.3 percent. The tour coincided with increased tensions in the Middle East, with Hamas’s attack on Israel and the escalation of U.S. involvement in the conflict. This raised concerns that events in the Middle East could distract the U.S. from its commitments in the Pacific. Despite the ongoing conflict, President Trump’s rivals in the primary season were hesitant to criticize him in front of the pro-Trump Republican base. The Epoch Times attended Vektoberfest, an event featuring candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy has been actively campaigning in Iowa, with appearances at 109 events, compared to 50 events by former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. The Epoch Times also learned that DeSantis had appeared at or hosted 92 events in Iowa. During Vektoberfest, a motorist collided with a Ramaswamy campaign vehicle, leading to protests in the town of Grinnell. Some Ramaswamy supporters believed the incident was intentional, but the police found no evidence to support this claim. Ramaswamy’s foreign policy stances, particularly his views on China and reducing the U.S. footprint in the Middle East, have drawn criticism and attention from both the legacy media and conservative sources. At Vektoberfest, Ramaswamy focused on combating China and concluded the event with a colorful drone show. Attendees expressed various reasons for supporting different candidates, including Ramaswamy’s fresh face and policies, alignment on issues like abortion and family, and speaking truths. The tour coincided with a new conflict in the Gaza Strip, which influenced Republicans’ rhetoric and promises for the 2024 election. President Trump accused President Biden of betraying Israel, while Ramaswamy emphasized his America First stance.