Former US President Donald Trump sought a third consecutive nomination as he jostled past fellow contendors to seize the first ever 2024 Republican presidential contest held in Iowa on January 15, as per reports by Reuters. While Trump's win was already an obvious conclusion before Monday due to his massive lead in opinion polls, all eyes were set on the race on the candidate who would finish second. The two other candidates competing in the contest, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, waged a bitter battle to achieve the second spot after Trump and become his chief alternative, reported Reuters.
Iowa's natives sustained life-threatening frosty temperatures of minus 43 degrees Celsius to gather at 1600 schools, community centres, and various other sites to vote at the state's first-ever nation caucus after the 2024 presidential campaign officially started after months of rallies, debates, and advertisements, added Reuters.
Trump's victory in Iowa will strengthen his stand that he is the only Republican candidate capable of taking the current Democratic President Joe Biden's place. This comes at a time when there is a possibility of Trump being convicted as a felon before the November 5 General election for the four criminal cases against him.
A 65-year-old retired Christian bookstore owner and avid Trump supporter was quoted by Reuters saying, "I'm hoping that it's a landslide, and I wouldn't be surprised."
Both Haley and DeSantis were laser-focused on finishing in second place with the hope that it would prevent Trump's steady march toward being nominated.
As per Reuters, DeSantis specifically placed his bets on the campaign in Iowa and had left no stone unturned in barnstorming all of its 99 counties. However, the polls projected him far behind Trump and Haley in the moderate Northeastern state of New Hampshire, which could lead to an end to his bid.
Though Haley and DeSantis never predicted victory, they had a sliver of hope that their performance would exceed expectations. However, Trump's victory and his grip on his loyal supporters might just have given him an edge for the future.
Iowa's caucus is different from a regular election as it requires voters to gather in person in small groups to cast secret ballots after the campaign representatives give speeches.