SOLON — Conventional wisdom says the road to the White House starts in Iowa, especially as the Hawkeye State kicks off the presidential primary season with its unique caucus.
Iowa Republicans gathered to select a candidate to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden and gave former President Donald Trump the win with 51% of the votes (56,260). Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was second with 21.2% of the votes (23,420) while former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was third with 19.1% (21,085).
In Johnson County, Haley edged Trump by one vote 1,271 – 1,270 with DeSantis a distant third with 755. Political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy trailed even farther with 256 votes. Ramaswamy only garnered 7.7% of the vote (8,449) across the state and ended his campaign, endorsing Trump in the process.
Trump won the five Solon precincts with 124 votes out of 361 total. Haley garnered 101 with 90 for DeSantis and 43 for Ramaswamy.
Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann issued a statement in response to the early results of the caucus saying, “Iowans braved record-low temperatures after a blizzard blanketed their state just days earlier to deliberate with members of their community about the future of our country and participate in true, grassroots democracy.
“I could not be prouder to be an Iowan than I am tonight,” he added. “Driven by frustration with the Biden administration’s record of utter incompetence and by enthusiasm for the Republican Party’s deep bench of talent in the 2024 race, Iowans came out to have their voices heard. They came out for their families, their communities, their state, and their country.”
Democrats also gather
on Caucus Night
With Biden the presumptive nominee Democrats spent their Caucus Night conducting party business including electing delegates and alternate delegates to the county convention, election of county central committee members, and discussing platform resolutions to be shared at the county convention. A mail-in “Expression of Presidential Preference” remains open until Monday, Feb. 19 with the results to be announced March 5.
Libertarians meet
in Coralville
The Libertarian Party of Iowa also held a caucus at the Coralville Public Library with 30 Presidential Nomination Candidates to discuss, debate, and consider.