In a sign which pointed to his continuing dominance over the Republican Party, despite facing a number of legal woes, Donald Trump has secured a resounding victory in the first 2024 Republican Presidential contest in Iowa.
The contest in Iowa kicked off the 2024 election cycle. Iowans braved dangerously cold weather to gather at more than 1,600 schools, community centres and other sites in the first vote in the 2024 presidential race.
According to Iowa Republican party Chairman, Jeff Kaufmann, an early estimate of 100,000 Republicans voted in the caucuses.
Trump took a step closer to securing a third consecutive nomination for the presidency as he beat former U.S Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in a widely-expected result.
“We were a great nation three years ago and now we’re a nation in decline,” he said, speaking to fans after the results confirmed his victory.
He then made a list of promises of what he would do in a second term, including rampant drilling and giving police officers full immunity.
The heated battle for second place took much longer, with Ron DeSantis edging out Nikki Haley.
DeSantis applauded Iowa voters for helping drive him to a second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses.
He said that he learned on the campaign trail that people want hope for the future of the country — and that’s what his campaign represented.
“They threw everything but the kitchen sink at us. They even called the election before people even got a chance to vote. Because of your support, in spite of all of that they threw at us, everyone against us, we got our ticket punched out of Iowa.”
Ron DeSantis
Three other candidates fell well below DeSantis and Haley, landing in the single-digit percentages.
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy led the lesser-known pack, before he dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump, followed by Asa Hutchinson, the former Arkansas Governor, and Pastor Ryan Binkley.
Trump’s legal challenges have done little to dampen his support among Republicans, many of whom view the cases against him as politically motivated.
On Tuesday, Trump is expected to appear in court in New York as a jury considers whether he should pay further damages to a writer who won a $5m jury award against him for sexual assault and defamation.
The focus now shifts to New Hampshire, the next primary contest on Republicans’ political calendar.
Trump Supporters Tell Rivals To Drop Out
A series of pro-Trump, GOP House members told a news agency that former President Donald Trump’s victory in Iowa should send a clear signal to his Republican rivals that it is time to drop out.
“It’s been real. You know, tip your waitresses on the way out, but this primary is over,” Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida said.
“This race is over. Donald Trump has consolidated the Republican Party. Ron DeSantis was getting his mail forwarded here. Like he had moved here. What is his argument to continue this campaign?”
Matt Gaetz
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene iterated that sentiment. “They should drop out,” the Georgia Republican said.
Greene added, “I think donor money is really important and political consultants are pretty good at talking candidates into staying in races way longer than they actually should.”
Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas also opined that Iowa is a turning point for the race, saying that he hopes more of his Republican colleagues on Capitol Hill will now fall in line behind the former President and endorse him.
“It’s inevitable in my mind that he’s gonna be the nominee and I just want to see my friends and colleagues get on board,” Jackson said.
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