Texas Senator Ted Cruz defeated Donald Trump in the Iowa Republican caucuses on Monday, a come-from-behind victory that raises questions about the billionaire’s ability to translate his support in political polls into actual votes in the US presidential race.
Democrat Hillary Clinton was meanwhile clinging to a razor-thin lead over Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
“God bless the great state of Iowa,” Cruz told cheering supporters in Des Moines, after winning with 28 per cent of the vote.
Hailing his grass-roots organisation for helping generate a record turnout for the Republican caucuses, Cruz said that “tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives across Iowa and all across this great nation.”
The win also proves that the “Washington establishment”, the lobbyists, and the media will not be picking the Republican nominee, he added, but the American people will.
Trump, on 24 per cent, barely held off Florida Senator Marco Rubio, on 23 per cent, who declared that his showing makes him a major competitor for the Republican nomination.
“This is no ordinary election,” Rubio told supporters, calling the result an important step to “winning this election.”
Josh Kent celebrates the victory of Ted Cruz at a rally on Monday in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo: AP
Trump, who like Cruz waged an anti-establishment battle in Iowa, congratulated the victor but told downcast supporters than he still plans to win the Republican nomination and the presidency. While expressing his love for the Hawkeye State — “I might come here and buy a farm” — Trump also pointed to upcoming Republican primaries in New Hampshire on February 9 and South Carolina on February 20.
“On to New Hampshire,” the businessman said.
In the Democratic race Clinton had 49.9 per cent support to 49.6 per cent for Sanders with more than 95 per cent of precincts reporting. The third Democrat in the race, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley announced the suspension of his campaign, having secured less than one per cent support.
“It is rare that we have the opportunity we do now, to have a real contest of ideas,” Clinton told supporters late Monday. “To really think hard about what the Democratic Party stands for and what we want the future of our country to look like if we do our part to build it.”
Clinton stopped short of declaring victory. “So, as I stand here tonight – breathing a big sigh of relief – thank you Iowa. I want you to know I will keep doing what I have done my entire life, I will keep fighting for you,” Clinton said.
But Sanders was jubilant as he took the stage in a packed hotel ballroom close to Des Moines airport, where enthusiastic supporters waved signs saying “A future to believe in” and chanting “Bernie! Bernie!”
The result further strengthens Sanders’ hand in the upcoming contest in New Hampshire – which neighbours his Vermont constituency.
“The reason that we have done so well here in Iowa, the reason I believe we’re going to do so well in New Hampshire, and in the other states that follow, the reason is, the American people are saying, no to a rigged economy,” Sanders told the crowd.
“We do not represent the interests of the billionaire class, Wall Street or corporate America.”
Trump had led the Republican polls for months, savaging early favourite Jeb Bush, and putting the rest of the large field – 12 in all – on the back foot. Trump said Monday night that he was “honoured” by his second-place finish.
Cruz’s win and Rubio’s strong showing could dent the momentum for Trump, whose candidacy has alarmed the Republican establishment and been marked by controversies such as his calls for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States.
Rubio said: “They told me I needed to wait my turn, that I needed to wait in line. But tonight here in Iowa the people of this great state have sent a very clear message.”
The results have major ramifications in upcoming races.
“There is now blood in the water for Donald Trump,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. “Ted Cruz proved he could successfully beat back Trump attacks because he had a great ground game and identified well with evangelical voters.”
For the Democrats, Clinton is looking to lay to rest the demons of 2008, when she lost in Iowa to now-President Barack Obama, and pursue her quest for history by dealing a blow to her upstart challenger Sanders.
“I know how to do this and I’m ready,” a confident Clinton, vying to be America’s first female president, told CNN hours before voting.
“There is just a lot of excitement and energy. I’m urging everybody to come out and caucus tonight to be part of this unique American process.”
For Republicans, the results left many wondering whether Trump’s firecracker campaign had already topped out. A Quinnipiac University poll had given Trump a seven-point lead over Cruz, 31 to 24 per cent, with Rubio in third at 17 per cent.
Agence France-Presse, Bloomberg, Reuters and Associated Press
