GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis finished in second place in the 2024 Iowa caucuses, surpassing polling expectations and earning a significant boost to his campaign. However, former President Donald Trump won a resounding victory with over 50% of the vote, establishing the largest margin of victory in Iowa Caucus history. Despite this, DeSantis remains determined to continue his campaign and compete with Trump in future states.
DeSantis’s strong performance in Iowa has sparked discussions about his momentum and funding for the upcoming primaries. Kellyanne Conway, former senior advisor to President Trump, believes that DeSantis should continue his campaign regardless of his placement in Iowa. Chief Political Analyst Brit Hume points out that a second place finish in Iowa historically leads to securing the nomination on the GOP side, providing hope for DeSantis’s future prospects.
While some on social media have called for DeSantis and other candidates to drop out of the race due to Trump’s dominant victory, the decision to withdraw from the presidential race is a deeply personal and emotional one. GOP strategist Alex Conant emphasizes that it will be up to DeSantis to determine when to drop out, and the timing remains uncertain.
DeSantis’s campaign has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to the long-haul and its intention to compete for every available delegate in New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, and beyond. The campaign plans to hold two events in South Carolina before heading to New Hampshire for further campaigning. With Trump currently holding large leads in the polls in both states, DeSantis faces an uphill battle.
Despite South Carolina being former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s home state, DeSantis has garnered more endorsements than her, including support from 74 current and former elected officials. The campaign highlights the impressive grassroots organization that DeSantis has built, with endorsements from 19 state legislators compared to Haley’s 11.
Looking ahead, DeSantis will need to strategize and rally support to compete with Trump’s strong polling numbers. Iowa’s proportionate delegate allocation ensures that all top four candidates, including DeSantis, will receive delegates. However, with Trump’s commanding leads in New Hampshire and South Carolina, the road ahead may prove challenging for DeSantis.
As the 2024 campaign trail unfolds, it remains to be seen how DeSantis will navigate the competition and share his vision for America. The DeSantis campaign is prepared for a long and scrappy campaign, ready to fight for the presidency and not back down.
