It was a full house at the Tanglewood Hills Pavillion.
DeSantis was joined by Texas Congressman Chip Roy, plus Iowa Congresswoman Marianette Miller-Meeks and Governor Kim Reynolds.
Reynolds addressed recent campaign ads from expected front runner, former president Donald Trump.
"The amount of money that's being spent against Ron tells a different story, so don't believe the polls," she said. "This is the guy they're after, they know that this is the guy that's going to turn things around, that's a change agent, and be the kind of the leader that this country needs."
During a Q&A with the audience, DeSantis fielded several questions about education. The Republican presidential candidate said universities should be responsible for students' loans.
"We are not going to make a truck driver pay the student loan for someone who got a degree in gender studies, tax payers are not going to be responsible for this."
He also commended Iowa's school choice program. As president, he said he would implement national school choice, using corporate tax credits.
"We also recognize that the schools belong to the parents, the kids and the community, not to the teacher's union."
DeSantis will be in Dubuque and Clinton on Wednesday.
Candidates Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy will also campaign in the Quad Cities area this week, ahead of the caucuses next month.
Recently, Haley criticized DeSantis for campaigning with Thomas Massie, a congressman who opposed resolutions to send more aid to Israel. DeSantis responded to a young audience member who echoed that sentiment Monday night.
"He votes against anything having to do with foreign relations, I disagree with that, we don't see eye to eye on that, but you know, my 80% friend is not my 20% enemy."
The Iowa Republican caucuses are set for Jan. 15.
