Larry Elder asks Iowa fair-goers for donations as he scrambles to get in the GOP debate

GOP presidential candidate and radio commentator Larry Elder hails from the West Coast, rattles off statistics about Baltimore schools and rails against California's reparations plan. But he believes he has the right background to relate to Iowa's voters.

"My mom was born on a farm in Hunstville, Alabama. My dad was born in Athens, Georgia. I love the South," he told reporters after his speech at the Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox Friday. "People here are not pretentious, they're down to earth and they call it like they see it."

Asked if he considered Iowa a part of the South, he replied, "It's kind of the same."

Elder, who identifies as an American who is Black and derides the term African American, has never held a public office. He sought to replace Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a failed 2021 recall effort, and before that, he won an election for class president in third grade, he told Iowa State Fair attendees.

During his Soapbox speech, he said he was running to uphold his family's tradition of serving their country. His father was in World War II, his oldest brother was in the Navy during the Vietnam War and his youngest brother was in the Army.

Winning public office would him give a chance to serve, Elder said.

"I've never felt good about that. The older I get, the worse I feel. This is my chance to give back to my country," he said.

Larry Elder hasn't met any debate requirements, yet

The former Democrat turned Republican isn't placing in national polls, according to the polling analysis website FiveThirtyEight.

Before jumping into his first speaking engagement at one of Gov. Kim Reynold's "fair-side chats" Thursday, he told attendees he was "a little more than halfway" to earning the necessary 40,000 donors to make it to the first GOP debate Aug. 23 in Milwaukee.

He added that it didn't matter if prospective donors intended to vote for him or a different candidate — he would still be a valuable presence on the debate stage to discuss issues that other candidates aren't.

Candidate tracker:See where presidential candidates are campaigning in Iowa

Some of those topics Elder covered during his Soapbox speech: an "epidemic" of fatherlessness in Black families; defunding entitlement programs such as Medicaid, Social Security and unemployment; and the lie, he said, that is systemic racism.

"Everybody knows at one time (America) was racist. But the Democrats keep pushing it and pushing it and claiming that America remains systemically racist," Elder said. "They're also driving nonsense like diversity, equity and inclusion, which is the opposite of what MLK wanted. He wanted a colorblind society, not a color-coordinated society."

Candidates will need to meet even higher donor and polling thresholds to make the second debate scheduled on Sept. 27 in Simi Valley, California. At least 50,000 unique donors, with at least 200 unique donors from at least 20 states or territories, is a must.

Candidates will also need to earn at least 3% in two national polls or poll at 3% in one national poll and 3% in two polls conducted in two early states, which includes Iowa.

Previously:Candidates try to clear GOP debate fundraising hurdles. Is it changing their Iowa strategy?

Elder believes he can still qualify for the first debate, saying if his campaign continues at the rate it has gone, they "ought to be able to make it." Asked if he would continue his campaign if he failed, Elder said he hadn't even considered that he wouldn't.

"No, I'm not worried," Elder said. "I feel I've got a strong message. People want to hear that message."

Larry Elder calls for an end to 'pay to play' politics

During his Soapbox speech, Elder said if elected he would sign an executive order called the "Blindside Initiative," to prevent presidents, vice presidents and their children from financially benefitting from their political positions.

"I don't care whether it's Hunter Biden or Jared Kushner, it's wrong. We're going to stop that," Elder said. "Harry Truman said if you go into politics broke, à la Joe Biden, and you come out rich, you're stealing."

He joked with Reynolds earlier about his lack of incentive to engage in similar politics.

"Another reason to vote for Larry Elder is my parents, unfortunately, are no longer with me and my two brothers, unfortunately, are no longer with me. I don't have any kids and nobody to graft for," he said.

Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at ALathers@registermedia.com.