"Trump's Absence at Iowa Evangelical Gathering Sparks Rival's Hopes for Gaining Ground"

Several Republican presidential candidates, including Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley, addressed a gathering of influential Iowa evangelical Christians at an event that Donald Trump chose to skip. Trump's rivals aimed to gain ground with this key voting bloc, but face a tough challenge as Trump maintains a strong lead in the GOP primary. Evangelical Christians in Iowa have been pleased with Trump's support for conservative causes, such as his Supreme Court picks and opposition to abortion. The candidates discussed issues like abortion and gender education in schools, with DeSantis emphasizing religious liberty. Despite concerns about party unity, some attendees expressed willingness to vote for Trump if he becomes the Republican nominee.