DES MOINES, Iowa -- Hoping to cut into Donald Trump's support at a major Iowa gathering of evangelical Christians, several of his top rivals on Saturday mostly avoided direct criticism of him on abortion and other issues key to social conservatives.
The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition's annual banquet is traditionally a marquee event on the Republican primary calendar. But the former president skipped it, leaving a mostly muted crowd of more than 1,000 pastors and activists to instead hear from several candidates running far behind Trump.
The primary field's split on abortion was once again on display, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis saying restrictions on the procedure should be left to the states -- a position similar to Trump's -- while former Vice President Mike Pence referred to Trump as his "former running mate" and said he was wrong to oppose a national abortion ban.
While the audience was overwhelmingly anti-abortion, Pence's push for a 15-week ban got only tepid applause, reflecting some national Republicans' concerns that Democrats are winning on abortion-rights issues after last year's Supreme Court ruling overturning the Roe v. Wade decision.
DeSantis, who has struggled to solidify himself as the GOP primary's No. 2 behind Trump, declined to say he'd back a federal abortion ban. Instead, he said, states have done more on the issue.
"Congress has really struggled to make an impact over the years," DeSantis said.
Pence said he disagreed with Trump and argued all Republican presidential candidates should back a federal abortion ban at a minimum of 15 weeks of pregnancy.
"I believe it's an idea whose time has come," Pence said. "We need to stand for the unborn all across America."
A Trump attack came from former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is a frequent critic of the former president. He said "there's another candidate, that I respect, but who is not here tonight" before slamming Trump for saying he wants "to make both sides happy" on abortion.
Hutchinson said that unlike Trump, "both sides aren't going to like me. This is going to be a fight for life."
Unlike other high-profile events, no one in the audience booed that or any other comment Saturday.
Those criticizing Trump didn't agree on everything. Hutchinson suggested that a House Republican push to open an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden might be premature given the facts that have been uncovered so far. Pence said he supported that effort.
Gallery: GOP hopefuls spend Saturday in Iowa
The event featured many devout and well-connected social conservatives who can play a decisive role in Iowa's first-in-the-nation Republican caucuses in January. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz used strong appeals to evangelical Republicans to win the GOP's 2016 caucuses.
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, a longtime bachelor, was asked about reports that he has a girlfriend who hasn't been publicly identified. On Saturday, he called her a "lovely Christian girl" and asked the crowd, "Can we just pray together for me?"
He added, "I just say praise the living God," seemingly joking about the Lord's work in finally ensuring he has a girlfriend.
DeSantis was asked specifically to talk about his personal faith and deeply held Catholic beliefs. He noted that when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, he was thankful for "the amount of prayers we received. It lifted my wife's spirits up." He said prayer was a key reason she was now cancer-free.
Robin Star of Waukee, just west of Des Moines, attended DeSantis' address at the church and said she was glad the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade -- but that Trump doesn't deserve all the credit. Star said she'd nonetheless vote for Trump if he's the Republican nominee, but fears he cannot unify the Republican Party enough heading into the general election against Biden.
Former Vice President and current 2024 Republican presidential candidate Mike Pence receives safety instructions before his turn to shoot during the 10th annual Jasper County GOP trap shoot on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Jasper County Gun Club in Newton, Iowa. Four Republican presidential hopefuls, made a campaign stop at the event to speak with constituents and shoot a few rounds. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette via AP)
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's fall banquet, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Bryon Houlgrave)
Republican presidential candidate former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley talks with farmer Dennis Campbell, left, during a tour of the Crystal Creek Enterprises farm, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Grand Mound, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Former President Donald Trump speaks during the Pray Vote Stand Summit, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Republican presidential candidate and former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's fall banquet, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Bryon Houlgrave)
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, greets supporters at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's fall banquet, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Bryon Houlgrave)
A shotgun shell is flies from the gun of former Vice President and current 2024 Republican presidential candidate Mike Pence during the 10th annual Jasper County GOP trap shoot on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Jasper County Gun Club in Newton, Iowa. Four Republican presidential hopefuls, made a campaign stop at the event to speak with constituents and shoot a few rounds. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette via AP)