Former President Donald Trump achieved a decisive 30-point victory in the Iowa caucuses, marking the start of the 2024 GOP nomination race. This triumph significantly boosts his chances of being the Republican candidate against President Biden in the upcoming general election.
The Associated Press announced Trump’s win in Iowa at 8:32 p.m. EST, a mere 30 minutes after the caucuses commenced. Despite the cold, snowy conditions, Iowans turned out to determine which Republican candidate would emerge as the primary alternative to Trump. The results were closely contested, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley each garnering around a fifth of the vote, ensuring the continued division of the anti-Trump faction within the party.
After 11:00 p.m. EST, DeSantis was declared the second-place finisher, narrowly surpassing Haley. Trump, who had aimed for an unprecedented 50% support, appeared to be on track to make history with 51% of the vote, surpassing the previous Iowa GOP record set by Bob Dole in 1988.
The results of the Iowa caucuses also revealed shifts in the political landscape. DeSantis, once seen as the leading Trump challenger, had seen his support wane since launching his campaign. Haley, on the other hand, surged in the final Iowa polls after strong debate performances and substantial advertising investments.
Despite trailing in New Hampshire polls, DeSantis’s second-place finish in Iowa gives him a foothold to continue his campaign. Haley, who has stronger support in New Hampshire and her home state of South Carolina, remains the closest competitor to Trump in these early stages of the race.
This development has set the stage for a dynamic and possibly transformative Republican primary, with New Hampshire’s upcoming primary poised to further shape the contest.
