Iowa Braces for Chilling Primary as Trump Leads the Polls
With the Iowa Republican primary underway, former President Donald Trump takes a commanding lead, while candidates endure severe winter weather to rally last-minute support.
Jordan Taylor
- 2024-01-14
- Updated 10:43 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - The race for the Republican presidential candidate is heating up in Iowa, despite the sub-zero temperatures gripping the state. As the primary season's inaugural contest kicks off, all eyes are on how effectively former President Donald Trump will perform against his party rivals. Recent polls indicate a significant lead for Trump, with a "Des Moines Register" poll reporting a 48 percent support rate, climbing to 55 percent in another poll. The contest is not only for the top spot but also a close fight for second place, with Nikki Haley, former US Ambassador to the UN, challenging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Haley Surge
Over the past months, Haley has experienced a resurgence in popularity, now polling at 20 percent, a notable increase from single-digit figures at the beginning of her campaign. This growth has placed her ahead of DeSantis, who has seen his support reduce to 16 percent. Despite the freezing conditions that saw temperatures plummet to -28 degrees Celsius and flights into Des Moines nearly halted, both Haley and DeSantis have persisted with their campaign efforts. Haley's relentless campaigning in the adverse weather and her rise in polls have led to speculations about her potential as a vice-presidential candidate alongside Trump.
Weather and Turnout Concerns
The extreme cold, anticipated to be historic for Iowa caucuses, brings concerns about its impact on voter turnout. The National Weather Service's warnings have been severe, and with Trump supporters confident in his lead, there's a possibility that turnout could be low. DeSantis has sought to use his underdog status to his advantage, downplaying negative polls while also aiming criticism at Trump for unfulfilled promises from his previous term. Despite facing four criminal charges, including those related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Trump's popularity within the GOP appears unshaken.
Iowa's Influence on Momentum
