DES MOINES, United States – Voters in Iowa brave freezing temperatures as they kick off the US Republican presidential nomination race, marking the first major test of contenders Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis against the scandal-plagued front-runner, Donald Trump.
The former US president, currently facing four criminal cases, is seeking to secure his position as the Republican standard-bearer against President Joe Biden in November.
Despite Trump‘s dominant lead in opinion polls, observers anticipate a potential strong showing by Haley or DeSantis.
The Iowa caucuses, traditionally known for setting momentum in the primary season, add an element of uncertainty this year, with weather conditions posing a challenge to voter turnout.
“I’m asking you to go out, brave the cold, and support me in the Iowa Caucus. You will never have an opportunity to have your vote make more of an impact than you will tonight!” urged DeSantis on social media.
Trump, campaigning near Des Moines on Sunday, encouraged his supporters to “dress warmly” and “brave the weather” in order to “save America.”
“The biggest question I’m getting right now is: ‘Is the caucus still going to take place? There is going to be a polar vortex,'” warned Maci Arjes, a member of a student Republican group at the University of Iowa.
Caucuses began around 7:00 pm (0100 GMT Tuesday), with voters gathering in various locations across the state.
Unlike regular elections, participants demonstrate their choice by physically gathering at a designated spot in the room.
Trump plans to attend several caucuses throughout the evening, emphasizing the significance of the event.
As the first-in-the-nation contest, Iowa’s outcome holds considerable weight in shaping momentum and media narratives for the primary season.
Trump’s anticipated victory will face scrutiny regarding the margin, with any shortfall potentially denting the sense of inevitability he seeks to project.
The latest NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll places Trump at 48% among likely caucus-goers.
Haley, the former UN ambassador and South Carolina governor, surged into second place with 20%, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis scored 16%.
While the Republican primary also features low-polling candidates, including biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, the Democratic caucuses in Iowa are largely uneventful, with Biden facing no serious threats from challengers Marianne Williamson and Dean Phillips.
Biden’s campaign recently announced raising over $97 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, resulting in a record-breaking war chest of $117 million.
