As the 2024 US presidential election kicks off in Iowa, voters are facing harsh weather conditions to participate in the unique caucus format and choose the Republican candidate. The final Des Moines Register/NBC News poll reveals that former President Donald Trump continues to hold a significant lead, garnering support from 48% of likely caucus-goers.
In a noteworthy shift, Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, has risen to second place in Iowa, securing the backing of 20% of likely Republican caucus-goers. This places her ahead of the two-term Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, who is at 16%, and Vivek Ramaswamy at 8%.
The outcome of the Iowa caucuses holds crucial implications for candidates, especially for DeSantis, as finishing below second place could jeopardize his prospects in subsequent contests like New Hampshire and the primaries. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign aims to leverage a victory in Iowa to build momentum for upcoming competitions in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Michigan, positioning Trump as a frontrunner for Super Tuesday on March 5.
Despite facing extreme cold, with temperatures potentially dropping to -20F (-29C) on caucus night, Trump supporters remain undeterred, braving the freezing conditions to attend rallies. Marco Rubio, the Florida senator, recently endorsed Trump for president, becoming the 24th Republican senator to do so, signaling growing support within the GOP.
If Trump manages to secure over 50% of the vote in Iowa, it could mark a historic landslide, further bolstering his campaign. As caucus participants gather in over 1,500 locations, the impact of their decisions will reverberate beyond Iowa, shaping the trajectory of the 2024 US election.