IOWA, USA — Winter weather meant a low turnout at the 2024 Iowa Caucuses, but support for one Republican candidate was still high.
"There's little that can damper the enthusiasm for Donald Trump," said Dr. Alison Dagnes, head of Shippensburg University's political science department.
The former president dominated the field, receiving 51% of the vote.
It's another indication Trump still commands a strong base; despite the legal challenges he's facing.
"Those who were polled ahead of time as they were walking into the different caucus spaces were asked, 'Would you still support Donald Trump if he were criminally convicted?' 65% said 'Yes.' Barring a health event, there's pretty much nothing that's going to stop Donald Trump from not only clinching the nomination but becoming the Republican candidate for President," Dagnes said.
Runner-up Florida Governor Ron DeSantis projected optimism and awarded 9 delegates in Iowa to Trump's 20.
"I think anybody who says 'Yeah, he beat me by thirty points and that's exactly where we wanted to be,' is not exactly telling the truth," Dagnes said.
Early polls suggested Nikki Haley would overtake DeSantis in Iowa, but the former U.N. Ambassador and governor of South Carolina came in a close third.
"We can look to see if this momentum is going to push her for a much closer second place or to even beat Donald Trump in New Hampshire," Dagnes said.
Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out of the race after receiving less than 8% of the vote, shortly before announcing his support for Trump.
With no serious challenger facing Biden on the Democratic side, early signs point to a potential election rematch.
Trump will be 78 years old by election day. Biden turns 82 in late November.
"I know there's tremendous concern for Joe Biden's health. I would imagine there's also concern for Donald Trump's health as well," Dagnes said. "Both of them are getting up there and you can see both of them slowing down quite a bit."
The next test for Republican candidates comes on Jan. 23 in New Hampshire.