Sen. Ted Cruz rallies Republicans at Iowa Faith & Freedom dinner

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz spoke at the Horizon Event Center in Clive Friday, touting recent Republican legislative and electoral victories.

“In the last year, with President Trump in office and with a Republican Senate and a Republican House, we have won more victories than at any time we have been alive,” Cruz said.

The Texas Republican visited Iowa as the keynote speaker for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s (IFFC) 26th annual Spring Kickoff event. Cruz, who won the Iowa Republican Caucuses when running for president in 2016, has often visited Iowa.

IFFC is a non-profit organization that advocates for conservatism and evangelicalism.

Speaking to a crowd of more than 1,000 people, Cruz celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade nearly four years ago, saying that the nomination and confirmation of “constitutionalist” and “principled” judges led to the outcome conservatives hoped for.

“Roe v. Wade is no longer the law of the land and now we are fighting to defend life in every single state,” Cruz said.

Cruz added that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana banned the dispensation of the abortion drug, mifepristone in the state through telehealth and mailing services. Cruz described the decision as another victory. The Iowa House also voted Friday to restrict Iowans’ ability to access mifepristone through telehealth and mail-order prescriptions.

During his speech, Cruz touched on the main political themes of the event, including the pro-life movement, tax cuts and education policy.

Additionally, prominent Iowa politicians, including Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and all five Republican gubernatorial candidates, made appearances at the event.

Reynolds kicked off the event by giving a speech touting her legislative accomplishments.

“Smaller, smarter government, protecting lives, educational freedom, protecting girls’ sports and that’s just a snippet,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds’s speech ended by saying that despite not running for reelection, she will be on the campaign trail, encouraging Republican voters to stay united.