During a typical presidential election year in the United States, the primary season serves to narrow down the Democratic and Republican candidate pools until only one of each remains.
However, the 2024 primaries took a different turn. Even before the first state vote, it was evident that President Joe Biden would face off against former President Donald Trump in a rematch.
Describing this primary season as unique, political science professor Tim Hagle from the University of Iowa noted the certainty of the nominees for each party.
As the presidential primary season concludes with low-stakes votes in the final states and territories, experts highlight the insights gained from the state-level votes for the upcoming campaigns.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night rally after the New Hampshire primary [File: David Goldman/AP Photo]
Trump’s ‘death grip’
The primary season kicked off on January 15 with Iowa’s caucus, where the Republican nomination race began.
Initially, a diverse group of Republican candidates entered the race, including Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and former Vice President Mike Pence.
Speculation arose about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis challenging Trump for the nomination, but as the Iowa caucus neared, polls indicated Trump’s strong lead over all competitors.
A December survey by Reuters and Ipsos showed that 61 percent of Republicans supported Trump, solidifying his position as the frontrunner.
Article from www.aljazeera.com