Staff Reports
In a shocking turn of events, former President Donald Trump dominated the Republican caucuses in Iowa, leaving his competitors in the dust before the contest even began. With over 51% of the caucusgoers’ support, Trump cruised to victory, snagging a whopping 20 delegates. This decisive win solidified Trump’s status as the front-runner, crushing the hopes of his opponents in the process.
Iowa caucuses: Republican winner and losers https://t.co/sMCq3PiyZw https://t.co/sMCq3PiyZw
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 16, 2024
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida found himself in a distant second place with 21.2% of the vote and eight delegates, while former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley trailed in third with 19.1% and seven delegates. Despite intense campaigning and high expectations, both DeSantis and Haley fell short in the face of Trump’s overwhelming lead.
DeSantis, who has faced criticism and negative attacks from super PACs, managed to surpass expectations with his second-place finish. However, the massive amount of money spent to undermine his campaign did not go unnoticed. Meanwhile, Haley, despite her strong endorsements and growing momentum, failed to secure the second-place finish she had been predicted to achieve. Her comments about the race being a two-person battle, despite her third-place finish, left many scratching their heads.
Former biotech CEO Vivek Ramaswamy, who had been touting a surprise performance in the caucuses, fell short of expectations with a mere 7.7% of the vote, landing him in fourth place. Ramaswamy quickly suspended his campaign and threw his support behind Trump, potentially bolstering the former president’s standing in future contests.
The resounding victory in Iowa has solidified Trump’s position as the top contender in the 2024 presidential race, leaving his Republican rivals with an uphill battle to challenge his dominance. As the contest moves to New Hampshire, the other candidates will have their work cut out for them trying to catch up to the undeniable force that is Donald Trump.
