Washington [US], January 17: Former US President Donald Trump won quickly and by the largest margin in primary election history in Iowa, where the 2024 election year kicks off.
Former President Trump has continuously led the 2024 US election surveys for more than a year. However, it was not until Iowa opened this year's election season that all survey numbers changed to the above results. reality.
The most resounding victory
Most American television stations and news agencies only took half an hour to declare the winner of the election on the night of January 15 (US time). Mr. Trump received 51% of the votes, 30 points ahead of second place Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This is the most resounding primary election victory in modern history in Iowa, according to The New York Times . "Mr. Trump is the candidate dominating the Republican race and the 'first contest' confirmed that fact," AFP quoted Professor Julian E. Zelizer of Princeton University.
Before Iowans went to the polls on January 15, many questions were raised about whether Mr. Trump's power had weakened after months of being surrounded by legal siege. However, the record victory in this state proves that Mr. Trump seems to have succeeded in turning the indictments into a call for support. "I think this is a moment for everyone, this country, to unite together," Mr. Trump said at the victory celebration party in Des Moines (Iowa's capital).
Meanwhile, runner-up candidate DeSantis affirmed that he will continue to stay on track despite the margin of victory. However, the Florida Governor is considered quite weak in New Hampshire, the state preparing for a primary election after Iowa next week. Many analysts believe that his election campaign has fallen into a "stillborn" state.
"The biggest winner tonight? President Biden. He will have his dream opponent: Mr. Trump," AFP quoted Republican political consultant Mike Madrid writing on social networks . As for the Democratic Party, this party also organizes a secret ballot in Iowa but by post and only plays a formal role, ensuring that President Biden will represent the party for re-election next November.
Election day is cold
The Guardian newspaper quoted Mr. Jeff Kaufmann, Chairman of the Republican Party in Iowa, estimating that about 110,000 people participated in the secret ballot held at schools, libraries, community centers and even grain granaries. . This number is considered lower than the number of participants in 2016, which was 187,000 people, according to data from the Edison Research Foundation.
The reason is said to be that Iowa experienced the coldest primary election in modern history. Election day temperatures dropped to -34 degrees Celsius. Some people were unable to reach the voting area because of road closures and other weather-related obstacles.
Among Mr. Trump's supporters, many dismiss the legal challenges the candidate faces, but instead express concern for American democracy. The reason Mr. Ron Osborn, a retired farmer, continues to support former President Trump is very simple. "I think he is the only person who can defeat the Democratic candidate," said Mr. Osborn, 73 years old. And cardiologist Allan Latcham, 62 years old, called the night of January 15 "the night of victory", although he had to admit he was surprised when the news of victory came so quickly.
The focus now turns to New Hampshire, the next Republican primary contest, taking place on January 23.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper