Former President Donald Trump achieved a decisive victory in the Iowa Republican caucuses on January 15, 2024, marking a significant milestone in his campaign for a third consecutive Republican presidential nomination. Trump secured 51% of the vote, becoming the first non-incumbent Republican to win a majority in Iowa’s caucuses. His 30-point margin over the nearest competitor is the largest ever for a non-incumbent in the state’s GOP caucus history.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis finished second with 21.3%, narrowly ahead of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who garnered 19.1%. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy trailed with 7.6%. Trump’s overwhelming performance translated into 20 of Iowa’s 40 delegates to the Republican National Convention, while DeSantis, Haley, and Ramaswamy secured nine, eight, and three delegates, respectively.
Trump’s dominance was evident across the state, winning 98 of Iowa’s 99 counties, losing only Johnson County to Haley by a single vote. This sweeping victory underscored his strong support among Iowa Republicans and positioned him as the clear frontrunner in the GOP primary race.
The Iowa caucuses have long been a critical early test in the presidential nominating process, often serving as a bellwether for candidate viability. Trump’s commanding win not only demonstrated his continued influence within the Republican Party but also set the tone for the primary season ahead.
Following the caucuses, both Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson suspended their campaigns. Ramaswamy endorsed Trump, while Hutchinson, who finished with less than 1% of the vote, endorsed Haley. DeSantis withdrew from the race the following weekend, also endorsing Trump.
Trump’s victory in Iowa was swiftly followed by a win in the New Hampshire primary on January 23, where he defeated Haley, albeit by a smaller margin. He continued his winning streak in the South Carolina primary on February 24. After a series of victories on Super Tuesday, Haley suspended her campaign on March 6, having only won Vermont and Washington, D.C. Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee on March 12, surpassing the delegate threshold needed to clinch the nomination.
Trump’s success in Iowa and subsequent primaries solidified his position as the Republican Party’s leading candidate for the 2024 presidential election, demonstrating his enduring appeal among GOP voters and his ability to consolidate support across diverse constituencies.
