Where'd Ron go? Keeping track of Florida Gov. DeSantis' out-of-state travels

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been traveling around the country this year as a Republican presidential contender.

His trips have included accepting awards, going on his nation-hopping book tour for his latest book, “The Courage to Be Free: Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival,” and now giving speeches (and raising money) to boost his chances as someone running for leader of the free world. 

After making his presidential aspirations official, the governor commenced a series of out-of-state trips, including Iowa, New Hampshire and early primary states – and we're keeping track of where he goes. 

We use open and private announcements of fundraisers, online news reports and other sources to compile this list, which is regularly updated:

The Breakdown

So far this year, DeSantis has visited: 

• Kansas City, Missouri
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• New York City
• The District of Columbia
• Chicago, Illinois
• Houston & Dallas, Texas
• Simi Valley, California
• Davenport & Des Moines, Iowa
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Smyrna, Georgia
• Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Long Island, New York
• West Chester Township & Akron, Ohio
• Manchester, New Hampshire
• Charleston and Spartanburg, South Carolina
• Japan, South Korea, Israel & the United Kingdom (international trade mission)
• Rothschild, Wisconsin
• Peoria, Illinois
• Sioux Center & Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Concord, New Hampshire
• Clive, Iowa
• Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Pella & Cedar Rapids in Iowa.
• Laconia, Rochester, Salem & Manchester in New Hampshire. 
• Beaufort, Lexington & Greenville in South Carolina. 
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Texas (multiple cities)
• Greensboro, North Carolina
• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Reno, Nevada
• Sacramento and other points in California
• North Augusta, South Carolina
• Washington, D.C. 
• Wolfeboro and Merrimack, New Hampshire
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Hartland and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Tega Cay and Columbia, South Carolina
• Chattanooga, Tennessee 
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Various spots in New Hampshire
• Panora, Iowa
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Nashua, New Hampshire
• Londonderry, New Hampshire
• Manchester, New Hampshire
• Various spots in Iowa
• Summerdale, Pennsylvania
• Various Iowa counties 
• Greenwich, Connecticut
• Washington, D.C.
• Des Moines and other points in Iowa
• Midland, Texas
• Various points in California
• Various points in South Carolina
• Various points in Iowa
• Nashua, New Hampshire
• More point in Iowa

Jan. 23, 2023

His first out-of-state appearance of 2023 wasn’t a political one. He traveled to Kansas City, Missouri to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars play the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional playoff game. The Chiefs ended up winning 27-20. 

Jan. 24

DeSantis traveled to Philadelphia to receive a gold medal from the Union League of Philadelphia, a private club that dates back to the 1800s. His arrival in the city was met with protests from city leaders, activists and organizers. 

Feb. 10

According to U.S. Rep. Ben Cline of Virginia, DeSantis visited Washington, D.C. to give “an exciting update to the House Freedom Caucus about the great work he is doing down in Florida.” DeSantis was one of the founding members of the caucus when he was in Congress. 

Feb. 20

In the first event of the year that outwardly appeared to be a precursor to a presidential run, DeSantis visited three Democratic-controlled northern cities in one day: New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. During the trip, he was there to “meet with the men & women of law enforcement to discuss FL's commitment to law & order,” according to his tweet.

March 3

In the first stop of a two-day tour of Texas, he was in Houston to be the keynote speaker for the Harris County Republican Party’s Lincoln Reagan Dinner fundraiser. Media was not allowed inside the event, and protesters demonstrated outside. He did give a “fireside chat” speech, however.

March 4

In Dallas, he headlined another fundraiser, this time for the Dallas County Republican Party. This event was also closed to the media, but in his public appearances he kept signaling that Florida and Texas are the two states fighting against “the left."

March 5

DeSantis took his road trip to California, speaking at a sold-out event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in as part of his book tour. Reporters that covered his 45-minute remarks noted that it resembled a presidential stump speech. 

March 10

He made his first stop in Iowa, a key state for those running in presidential primaries. His trip included visits to Davenport and Des Moines, where he was joined by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, where the pair had interview-style conversations at each event.

March 11 

His book tour also took him to Nevada, where he had a speaking event in Las Vegas. Nevada is one of the first states to vote in the presidential primaries, currently scheduled for Feb. 6, 2024.

March 30

He spoke at Adventure Outdoors in Smryna, one of the largest gun stores in the country, located in the Atlanta metro area. The event was sponsored by a new group called And to the Republic, which is “supporting (his) national political activity.” The group backed his Iowa trips earlier in March as well.

April 1

DeSantis gave a speech in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he said he was proud of what conservatives have accomplished in Florida and wants to bring it to the rest of the country. The speech was at the conservative Pennsylvania Leadership Conference.

April 2

The next stop in DeSantis’ book tour took him to Long Island, New York. The event was attended by Trump supporters who were there to protest DeSantis.

April 13

The governor was the keynote speaker for the Butler County, Ohio, Republican Party’s 2023 Lincoln Day dinner. The event was in West Chester Township, about 25 miles north of Cincinnati. His trip also took him to Akron.

April 14

DeSantis spoke at a GOP fundraising event in Manchester, New Hampshire. His speech was interrupted by two protesters, who shouted “Jews against DeSantis!” when he was on stage.

April 18

Amid Trump securing key endorsements from Florida Republican Congressmen and women, DeSantis met with several members of his state’s delegation in D.C. However, some continued to endorse Trump after his meeting with them.

April 19

The governor promoted his book at North Charleston Coliseum Montague Terrace and he and First Lady Casey DeSantis visited the Summerville Country Club, both in the Charleston area. He then headed to Spartanburg – about 180 miles away – to speak at First Baptist North Spartanburg as a guest of GOP state Sen. Josh Kimbrell.

April 22

DeSantis visited two states on this day. Republican venture capital billionaire Joe Lonsdale held an event for DeSantis in Austin, Texas. The Governor was also the keynote speaker at the Utah Republican Convention at Utah Valley University.

April 24 & 25

During the first two days of his international Florida trade mission, DeSantis visited Tokyo Japan, where he met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and others. He also fielded questions from the press about how he is falling behind in polls against Donald Trump.

April 26

DeSantis next visited Seoul, South Korea, where he met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and several business leaders, like Hyundai Motor Group President Karl Kim and Kia Global President & CEO Ho Sung Song. He also signed a memorandum of understanding with a Korean company to create a clean hydrogen hub in central Florida.

April 27

The governor visited Jerusalem, Israel on the third stop in his international tour. He called the country one of America’s “most valued and trusted allies” and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

April 28

DeSantis was in London, England, the last stop of his overseas trade mission. Among other things, he "was joined by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. President and CEO Tim Cerio for a discussion with reinsurance companies" and met with Secretary of State for Business & Trade Kemi Badenoch and Foreign Minister James Cleverly. 

May 6

The governor was the “special guest” at the Marathon County, Wisconsin, Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner, held at the Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center in Rothschild, where he "continued to focus on his record as Florida’s governor, rather than making a direct case for why he should be president," the New York Times reported. 

May 12 & 13

The governor was in Illinois to deliver a speech at the annual Peoria-Tazewell County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner at the Peoria Civic Center. Then he attended two events in Iowa the next day: U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra’s annual family picnic in Sioux Center and a Republican Party of Iowa fundraiser in Cedar Rapids.

May 19

DeSantis went to New Hampshire to meet with state GOP lawmakers. While there, he visited the Red Arrow Diner to talk with voters. He also had a meeting with the state's Republican governor, Chris Sununu, who is considering his own run for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. 

May 30

The governor hosted a "campaign kickoff" at Eternity Church in Clive, Iowa, roughly eight miles west of downtown Des Moines, the state's capital. The event came a week after he launched his campaign for president on Twitter. 

May 31

DeSantis remained in Iowa, with scheduled stops in Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Pella and Cedar Rapids, according to his campaign.

June 1

The governor barnstormed across New Hampshire, stopping in Laconia, Rochester, Salem and Manchester. He talked "tax cuts, parental rights, gun rights and plans to shut down the southern border. He also doubled down on his favorite campaign pledge, to end what he calls 'woke ideology' from the classroom to the board room," WBUR reported. 

June 2

DeSantis visited Beaufort, Lexington and Greenville, South Carolina, "wrapping up his first tour of early voting states as a presidential candidate, showcasing his personal side ... with a lighthearted sit-down with his wife and an emotional moment with a military spouse," the AP reported. 

June 3

DeSantis was back in Iowa, for U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's "Roast and Ride" at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. "The annual motorcycle ride, which benefits veterans, this year attracted all of the declared Republican presidential candidates – except Trump," Fox News reported. 

June 7-9

The governor held his first fundraising trip to Texas as a presidential candidate, the Texas Tribune reported, hitting six cities: Midland, Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, The Woodlands and Austin. 

June 9

He was the featured speaker at the North Carolina Republican Party State Convention in Greensboro. 

June 10

The governor was in Tulsa, Oklahoma to headline an event thrown by the Never Back Down super PAC supporting his campaign. 

June 17

DeSantis appeared at the Basque Fry, “the single-largest annual political event in Nevada,” hosted by the Morning in Nevada PAC, which was founded by a DeSantis political ally and friend, former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt. He "pitch(ed) himself as a leader who would restore sanity and normalcy to a nation in decline," targeting the Left but avoiding mention of Trump, The Nevada Independent reported. 

June 19

The governor was "on the West Coast for his 2024 White House bid (for) a private fundraiser in Sacramento, California," at the the Del Paso Country Club, CBS News reported. "The visit marks DeSantis' first to the state's capital since he and his administration confirmed Florida's involvement in the controversial transportation of several migrants to the city."

He later attended a fundraiser at a ranch in Coalinga, Fresno County, the San Joaquin Valley Sun reported, and was set to appear at two more fundraisers in Southern California. The Mercury News also reported he visited "a Republican donor in Woodside," San Mateo County. 

June 22

DeSantis made a presidential campaign stop at the Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta, South Carolina, the Augusta Chronicle reported. The Palmetto State holds the first-in-the-South primary for the GOP presidential nomination. 

June 23

DeSantis spoke at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s 2023 "Road to Majority" Conference in Washington, D.C. 

"The 2024 presidential candidate will be joined by every other currently running GOP presidential candidate, including potential future candidates, according to the group," the Washington Examiner reported. "Over 3,000 conservative activists and voters will be in attendance — the conference's record."

June 30

The governor was the breakfast speaker at the first full day of the Moms for Liberty parental rights group's "Joyful Warriors" annual summit, held this year at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. 

July 4

DeSantis and wife Casey marched in Fourth of July parades in Wolfeboro and Merrimack, New Hampshire, telling WMUR (Manchester, N.H.) “we’re going to be doing so much more here. It was just good to be up here and celebrate Independence Day with a bunch of patriotic Americans.”

July 11

The governor was in Wisconsin for separate breakfast and luncheon fundraisers in Hartland and Lake Geneva respectively, according to WisPolitics. 

July 12

He was in Hamilton County, Indiana, for a luncheon fundraiser, “with another event in the Indy area likely,” the Indianapolis Star reported. 

July 15

The governor spoke at the Tennessee Republican Party Statesmen’s Dinner in Nashville on Saturday evening, the Tennessee Outlook reported. 

July 17-18

He made campaign stops in Tega Cay, South Carolina, WBTV (Charlotte, N.C.) reports, and in the state capital of Columbia, where he also did an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper. 

July 21

DeSantis visited Salt Lake City, Utah for a public press conference and a series of private campaign meetings. During the press conference, he said he is running to “reduce the decline” in America.

July 25

The governor was headed to a campaign in Chattanooga, Tennessee when his convoy got into a several-car accident. He was uninjured, but one person in his staff came out with minor injuries.

July 31-Aug. 1

DeSantis was back in New Hampshire to announce what his campaign teased as a “Declaration of Economic Independence.” He sat for an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News Channel. He also participated in a WMUR (Manchester, New Hampshire) TV town hall to “take questions from New Hampshire voters.”

Aug. 4-5

On this Friday and Saturday, DeSantis embarked on his “Never Back Down” bus tour funded by the pro-DeSantis PAC of the same name. The tour stopped at several locations in Iowa.

Aug. 10

DeSantis returned to Iowa, where he campaigned in Des Moines. While in the Hawkeye state, he appeared on the Ruthless Podcast, a conservative podcast aimed at younger conservatives. 

Aug. 11

The Governor continued his stint in Iowa by hosting a town hall in Panora. The ticketed event took place at the Port on Lake Panorama Restaurant and Inn. 

Aug. 12

Most of the competitive Republican Primary candidates made an appearance at the Iowa State Fair this Saturday. DeSantis participated in chats, flipped meat on the grill, and was heckled by protesters.

Aug. 18

DeSantis attended and spoke at The Gathering, a conservative conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, that was started by radio talk show host Erick Erickson and a PAC formed by Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Later in the evening, the governor spoke at an event in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Aug. 19 

He spent the day on a campaign tour of New Hampshire, making stops in Londonderry and Manchester.

Aug. 24-26

The governor and First Lady returned to Iowa as part of their goal to visit all 99 counties in Iowa, traveling on the branded bus of the Never Back Down super PAC that is supporting DeSantis' run. 

Sept. 5

The governor “spent just over an hour with those willing to spend money to hear him at Central Penn College (in Summerdale, Pennsylvania), and he received good reviews from Republicans on hand,” ABC affiliate WHTM reported. "Organizers estimate the DeSantis campaign left $100,000 richer, but the Pennsylvania primary is at least six months away and Republicans were noncommittal."

Sept. 9

DeSantis was in several counties in Iowa Saturday, according to a travelogue from his campaign, starting with a visit at a local coffeehouse "to have coffee with caucus-goers." Then he "attended the 145th Annual Iowa Firefighter’s Association Convention" and the "rest of the day was spent at the famed Cy-Hawk Game, where (he also) attended a tailgate with the Iowa Corn Growers Association and became an associate member of the group."

Sept. 13

The governor attended an evening fundraiser in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the home of Scott and Icy Frantz, the New Haven Register reported: “Scott Frantz was previously a state senator and the couple hosted George W. Bush and Mitt Romney during their respective runs for the White House.”

Sept. 15

The governor joined Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins on Washington Watch in the 5 p.m. ET hour and delivered remarks at Family Research Council’s PrayVoteStand Summit in Washington, D.C. 

Sept. 16

DeSantis was back in Iowa to deliver remarks at an event with Faith Wins in Des Moines and at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, also in Des Moines. DeSantis also attended a ‘meet & greet’ with U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in Red Oak. 

Sept. 20

The governor announced his energy policy in an appearance in Midland, Texas, part of a fundraising swing through the Lone Star State. "DeSantis delivered a call for more American oil, gas and mineral production while promising to scrap climate policies he says are stifling U.S. energy might while benefiting China," Bloomberg reported. A recording of his speech is here. 

Sept. 24

DeSantis visited a "packed" Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Coronado, California, across the bay from downtown San Diego. "He told the attendees that it was great to be back to the place where, 15 years ago, he received orders as a young Navy lieutenant to report to the Coronado Naval Amphibious Base, Naval Special Warfare Group One," The Coronado News reported. 

Sept. 27

The governor was on the debate stage for the second GOP presidential candidate debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.  

Sept. 28

DeSantis "made a highly controversial trip to Salinas, (California), ... preceded by community protests (and) a Salinas City Council resolution denouncing his visit, and widespread disapproval from county supervisors, organizations and Salinas residents across social media," the Californian reported. 

Sept. 29

DeSantis spoke at the California GOP convention in Anaheim, California. He poked fun at Trump, saying, “I understand that one of my residents was here earlier saying that he turned Florida red. I just wish if he was the one that turned Florida red, that he wouldn’t have turned Georgia and Arizona blue.”

Oct. 4

The governor traveled with the Never Back Down super PAC's bus tour in South Carolina, with stops in Greenville and Spartanburg. (Video here from the Greenville News.)

Oct. 9

DeSantis was in Iowa over the Columbus Day weekend, including a stop in Le Mars, according to SiouxlandProud.com (KCAU), where he met "Iowa voters at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor." There, he "opened his event with a speech on Israel, showing his support for the U.S. ally and his condemnation of Hamas ... The Florida governor also spoke about his plan to make the country less dependent on foreign energy."

Oct. 12

"A big crowd turned out Thursday for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as he signed in for the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary," WMUR reported. "DeSantis said, 'We're going to be spending an awful lot of time here and, of course, in Iowa over the next 100, 105 days.' "

Oct. 13-14

The governor and first lady were back in Iowa, including stops in Creston and Council Bluffs, according to reports.