Republican New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu joins ‘America Reports’ to discuss 2024 presidential candidates Donald Trump and Nikki Haley leading the polls and his Haley endorsement. Tens of thousands of Iowans will gather on Monday, Jan. 15, to make the first major decision of the 2024 Republican presidential primary race. But what’s all the fuss about if they aren’t actually choosing a nominee?
Since the 1970s, Iowa caucuses have made the first key decision on a preferred presidential nominee, winnowing the candidate field and setting the stage for the rest of the cycle. Presidential candidates will tour the state, some visiting every county, and meet one on one with voters in an attempt to win over enough of them to be named the first caucus victor. Through a communal decision process, Iowans will get together and select the candidate they want to represent their party on the general election ballot. The winning candidate is then named, shining a light on where voters stand thus far in the race.
The Iowa caucuses do not determine who will officially represent the GOP on the ballot in the fall, but it is the first curtain drop of the 2024 cycle, with bragging rights included. The narrowed Republican primary field sees top candidates former President Donald Trump, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy campaigning in Iowa ahead of the caucuses on Monday.
Several recent surveys indicate Trump is the frontrunner with at or above 50% support in the state, but even so, the former president has been urging voters not to take his apparent lead for granted. In an effort to secure a win, Trump has been touring the state to convince voters to turn out for his campaign come Monday.
With a large margin of separation from Trump, Haley and DeSantis are competing for a second-place spot in many primary polls. A recent Suffolk University poll suggested that Haley, the only female in the race, recently climbed to second place above DeSantis. Ramaswamy, according to the Suffolk University poll Thursday, has only 6% support in the race.
Iowa Republicans will gather Monday at 1,657 caucus sites, known as precincts, across the state. They will kick off at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, Jan. 15, prompting representatives from each of the presidential campaigns to make a short pitch for their candidate before the attendees cast their secret ballots.
Democrats in the past have also kicked off their nominee voting process in Iowa but are breaking tradition in 2024. Iowa will still vote on party business come caucus day, but not for a presidential nominee. Instead, the party is asking its voters to send mail-in ballots with their preferred candidate that will be accepted until Super Tuesday on March 5, 2024.
Iowa served as the first caucus state for the Democrat Party for 60 years. So, why the change of heart? With its full support behind incumbent President Biden, who has been scrutinized by political opponents and parts of the country and faces major concerns over his age and cognitive health, the party is seeking to reach minority voters and those in a state more likely to vote for a second term.
In an interview on ‘America Reports,’ Republican New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu endorsed Nikki Haley and discussed the 2024 presidential candidates. Sununu expressed his confidence in Haley’s abilities and highlighted her strong performance in the polls. He emphasized the importance of the Iowa caucuses in determining the preferred Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential race.
As the caucuses approach, the Republican primary field has narrowed down to top candidates Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are actively campaigning in Iowa. Recent surveys indicate that Trump is the frontrunner with significant support in the state, but he is urging voters not to take his lead for granted.
Haley and DeSantis are competing for the second-place spot in the polls, with Haley recently surpassing DeSantis in a Suffolk University poll. Ramaswamy has lower support at 6% according to the same poll.
On Monday, Jan. 15, Iowa Republicans will gather at various precincts across the state to participate in the caucuses. Representatives from each campaign will make pitches for their candidates before attendees cast their secret ballots.
In contrast, the Democratic Party has broken tradition for the 2024 election. While Iowa will still vote on party business during the caucuses, they will not be selecting a presidential nominee. Instead, the party is encouraging voters to send mail-in ballots with their preferred candidate, which will be accepted until Super Tuesday on March 5, 2024.
This change of heart by the Democratic Party reflects their support for incumbent President Biden, who has faced criticism regarding his age and cognitive health. By focusing on minority voters and states more likely to vote for a second term, the party aims to secure a strong base of support for Biden.
As the Iowa caucuses approach, the race for the Republican nomination intensifies, with Trump, Haley, DeSantis, and Ramaswamy vying for support. The outcome of the caucuses will provide valuable insights into the preferences of Republican voters and set the tone for the rest of the 2024 presidential primary race.
