After Iowa: Who Won, Who’s Out, What’s Next
Attendees listen to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak during a campaign stop Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, in Milford, N.H. © Matt Rourke/AP Images. http://www.apimages.com/Search?query=326182678720&ss=10&st=kw&entitysearch=&toItem=15&orderBy=Oldest.
Attendees listen at a Trump campaign stop in Milford, New Hampshire. Credit: © Matt Rourke/AP Images

After Iowa: Who Won, Who’s Out, What’s Next

Last week, Election Central explained how the Iowa caucus works. Now that you understand how it functions, lets take a look at how the events on the campaign trail have shaken down in recent days. Then we’ll see what’s ahead on the political horizon.

A Trumpless Debate

Just days before Iowa citizens began their caucus, the GOP held its seventh debate of the season. Only eight candidates qualified to participate, by achieving at least one percent in the five most recent national polls. Frontrunner Donald Trump declined the invitation. Instead, he filled an auditorium three miles away with 700 supporters for a so-called rally for veterans. However, many took the gathering as another publicity stunt.

Cruz Cruises Ahead

Even though Trump had been leading in the polls, Cruz’s last-minute victory surge wasn’t a big surprise. In the end, Cruz took 28 percent of the Iowa precincts. Trump claimed 24 percent and Rubio gathered an impressive 23 percent. There was a wide gap between the remaining candidates.

Republican voters in Iowa tend to be more religious and deeply conservative than those across the country and Cruz appealed to evangelicals. A defiant Cruz took a stab at the media and the “Washington establishment” while making an acceptance speech.

Dig Deeper
Look ahead to New Hampshire. Find out if the narrowed field or voter demographic has made any significant impact on the polls. Predict a winner and follow the coverage through until February 8.

David Martin