DES MOINES, Iowa — In a significant political development, former President Donald Trump secured a commanding victory in the Iowa caucus, marking the first contest of the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race. Trump’s win, with 97% of the expected vote counted, showcases his continued dominance in the GOP field.
Trump garnered 51.1% of the votes, a notable achievement as he became the first Republican candidate to receive more than 50% support in a contested Iowa caucus since the modern history of the event began in 1976. Following Trump were Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with 21.2%, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley at 19.1%, and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy with 7.7%. Ramaswamy ended his campaign and endorsed Trump as the results became apparent.
The former president led or won in 98 of Iowa’s 99 counties, with only Johnson County narrowly favoring Haley. In his victory speech in Des Moines, Trump acknowledged his competitors and called for unity among Americans. He dedicated part of his speech to his late mother-in-law, Amalija Knavs, who recently passed away.
Despite Trump’s landslide victory, the early projection of his win by media outlets raised concerns in the DeSantis camp, who accused the press of influencing the outcome. DeSantis’s campaign manager, James Uthmeier, expressed frustration over the early announcement of Trump’s victory, claiming it tainted the process.
Nikki Haley, who hinted at being satisfied with a top-three finish, rallied her supporters for the upcoming primary elections, stating, “Underestimate me, because that’s always fun.”
Trump’s campaign strategy, including a “10 for Trump” plan focusing on recruiting new or irregular participants, proved successful. The campaign’s efforts were evident at the caucus sites, where Trump’s presence dominated in terms of support and paraphernalia.
The Iowa caucuses, known for their challenging winter conditions, saw Republican voters brave snow and extreme cold to cast their votes. Turnout was lower than the record numbers seen in 2016 but was in line with the turnout in 2012.
The results from Iowa set the stage for the upcoming primaries, with New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary scheduled next. Polls in New Hampshire show Haley closing the gap against Trump, indicating an intensifying race for the Republican nomination.