The first female senator from Iowa is hosting one of the largest cook-offs in the state Saturday.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is kicking off her first Roast and Ride – a fundraiser. The event is bringing in several GOP presidential candidates and potential candidates.
Confirmed guests included: Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK), Dr. Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI).
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) are the only official presidential candidates not attending the event. Paul will be hosting his own rallies as he travels through New Hampshire over the weekend.
The event begins at the Harley Davidson dealership in Des Moines, followed by a 39-mile ride to Boone, Iowa where the cook-off occurs and the candidates speak at the Central Iowa Expo.
“I’m looking forward to bringing together our great line up of speakers and caucus-goers alike to hear what these leaders have to say about how to get our country growing again and what we need to do to ensure America remains a strong, stabilizing force around the globe,” Ernst told Breitbart News.
Ernst replaced Sen. Tom Harkin who retired after serving more than forty years in the senate. He held the Harkin Steak Fry – now replaced by Ernst’s Roast and Ride.
Ernst is a motorcycle owner herself and is riding to honor veterans. Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) is also joining the ride, according to the Gazette.