What impact did the Iowa result have on the Republican primary? Donald Trump was the clear frontrunner in the polls leading up to the 2023 Republican presidential primary. However, the actual results from the Iowa caucus on January 15th revealed a different story. Despite predictions of record attendance, turnout fell by around 40% from the peak in 2016. Many voters likely stayed home due to the sub-zero temperatures and the perception of Trump’s invincibility. Additionally, TV networks called the race for Trump less than an hour after the caucuses began, influencing some caucus-goers before they had a chance to vote.
While the premature declaration of a winner was undemocratic, it did not ultimately affect the outcome. Trump won 51% of the vote and half of Iowa’s 40 delegates to the Republican National Convention. Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, came in second with 21% and nine delegates, while Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor, finished third with 19% and eight delegates. Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, finished fourth and dropped out of the race.
Despite the unusual circumstances, Trump’s victory in Iowa solidified his position as the frontrunner in the Republican primary.
2024-01-18 06:25:38
Source from www.economist.com