Donald Trump secured a resounding victory in the first 2024 US election contest, triumphing over a reduced field of Republicans in the Iowa caucuses.
Addressing supporters after confirmation, Trump pledged various initiatives for a second term, such as extensive drilling and granting full immunity to police officers.
The battle for second place prolonged, resulting in Ron DeSantis narrowly surpassing Nikki Haley in an upset.
With approximately 99% of the vote tallied, Trump led at 51%, followed by DeSantis at 21.2%, and Haley at 19.1%.
Trump set a record margin of victory in Iowa, surpassing the previous 12-percentage-point record.
DeSantis, campaigning extensively across Iowa, aimed to secure voter favor, while Haley, perceived as a moderate choice, sought broader appeal for a potential challenge against Joe Biden.
Despite a strong showing, DeSantis acknowledged the challenges faced and expressed determination for the campaign’s continuation.
Three other candidates lagged significantly, with Vivek Ramaswamy dropping out and endorsing Trump, joined by Asa Hutchinson and Ryan Binkley.
Approximately 100,000 Republicans participated in the caucuses, a notable decrease from 2016.
Severe winter conditions affected voter turnout, but those supporting Trump often overlooked legal issues, prioritizing beating the Democrats.
Voters favoring alternative candidates cited fatigue with Trump’s chaotic politics.
The Iowa contest marked the start of the 2024 election cycle, with expectations of a Trump-Biden rematch.
Despite ongoing legal concerns and intense rhetoric, Trump maintained a dominant position. The focus now shifts to New Hampshire for the next primary contest, while Democrats opt for South Carolina as their initial official contest. Threats of political violence loom, raising concerns for officials and judges.
