Des Moines, Iowa – Republican presidential hopefuls, including Donald Trump, are making a final push to secure support in Iowa ahead of the beginning of the 2024 race for the White House. The candidates are faced with challenging conditions caused by frigid temperatures, complicating their last days of campaigning.
A victory in Iowa would solidify Trump’s status as the front-runner, while his rivals are vying to position themselves as the primary alternative to the former president. Republican voters will gather at more than 1,500 caucus locations across the state on Monday night to declare their preference for the presidential candidate.
However, the freezing temperatures, which are expected to plummet to as low as -30C (-20F), have raised concerns about turnout. Despite this, all the candidates have urged voters to brave the extreme cold to ensure their voices are heard.
Iowa’s track record of accurately selecting the eventual Republican nominee is patchy, with the state’s last successful prediction dating back to 2000 when George W. Bush won. Trump held a rally in Indianola on Sunday, rallying his supporters and emphasizing the significance of the state’s outcome.
The former president, age 77, aims to achieve a resounding victory in Iowa, expressing his ambition to set records. His campaign has invested heavily in grassroots efforts, organizing “commit to caucus” events to mobilize first-time voters and secure a substantial win.
Trump’s prospects received a boost from a final poll by the Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom, which indicated his nearly 30-point lead. However, former US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, made gains in recent days and emerged as the second-place candidate, overtaking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Haley’s strong performance in Iowa is crucial for retaining momentum heading into the next contest in New Hampshire, where she is polling within 10 points of Trump. A victory in either of these early states could establish Haley as the most viable alternative to the former president, resulting in increased support and donations.
Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis, facing competition for second place, has taken an assertive approach in the final days of the campaign. His events have emphasized his commitment to voters’ issues, differentiating himself from Trump and Haley. DeSantis has maintained an intense schedule despite adverse weather conditions, visiting all 99 counties and focusing on building an effective ground campaign.
The outcome in Iowa will carry significant weight, serving as an early indicator of the candidates’ viability and shaping the race moving forward. The state’s caucus results have the power to send a clear message to the rest of the nation and the world about the direction of the Republican Party. It remains to be seen how the voters will respond to the last-minute appeals and whether the extreme cold will impact turnout.