Former US President Donald Trump secured a decisive victory in the crucial Iowa caucuses, marking the first step in the Republican presidential nomination contest. With nearly 50% of the votes, Trump solidified his front-runner status in the race to reclaim the White House in 2024.
Indian-American Nikki Haley demonstrated a strong performance, vying for the second spot with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as almost 22% of the votes were counted, according to US media reports. Despite sub-zero temperatures and multiple felony indictments against Trump, hundreds of his supporters attended Republican primary caucus meetings across Iowa.
In her first tweet as results unfolded, Haley expressed enthusiasm for witnessing democracy in action and emphasized the need to save the country. The winner of the Republican presidential primaries will challenge incumbent President Joe Biden in the November elections.
Trump's victory in Iowa further solidifies his dominance within the party, setting the stage for the upcoming New Hampshire primary on January 23, where he holds a significant lead in the polls. Vivek Ramaswamy, another Indian-American entrepreneur-turned-politician, trailed in the distant fourth spot with 7% of the votes counted.
Despite facing record-breaking cold temperatures, voters in Iowa turned out to participate in the caucuses. The Trump campaign declared his victory, asserting that the people of Iowa sent a clear message that he would be the next Republican nominee for president.
As the results unfolded, the Biden campaign announced raising USD 97 million over the fourth quarter of 2023, with USD 117 million cash on hand. The New York Times described the Iowa results as expected, with Trump winning the most delegates and the potentially crucial chase for second place remaining uncertain between Haley and DeSantis. The victory in Iowa positions Trump as a formidable contender in the Republican nomination race.
(With Agency Inputs)
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