Iowa caucuses kick off amid freezing temperatures
Jan 15, 2024, 6:00 PM | Updated: Jan 16, 2024, 9:18 am
The former president is the projected winner of the Iowa caucuses, what does that mean and what’s next?
SALT LAKE CITY –The first caucus votes for the 2024 election were made tonight in Iowa. Monday’s event was impacted by bad weather, but that didn’t stop former President Donald Trump from winning the caucuses, as called by the Associated Press.
Despite the Iowa caucuses taking place amid sub-zero temperatures, Utah GOP Chair Robert Axson was still optimistic about turnout.
“I’m confident that many folks here in Iowa are still going to brave the conditions and show up and make sure their voice is heard. And I would expect nothing less from Utahns on March 5,” Axson said.
He is in Iowa to observe the caucuses in preparation for Utah’s caucus in a few months.
The frontrunner and projected winner on Monday was former President Donald Trump.
Political consultant KSL at Night Host Taylor Morgan said the other two leading the pack are Nikki Haley and Gov. Ron Desantis.
“I don’t know that anyone expects Nikki Haley to beat Donald Trump in Iowa but certainly, Nikki Haley can distance herself from Ron Desantis,” Morgan said.
Why are the Iowa caucuses so significant?
“These are the first real votes cast in the presidential primary election process. Up until now it has been all speculation and guessing and polling. But tonight, we will have real votes that are a real-life indication of where Republican voters are,” Morgan said.
Morgan and Leah Murray, the director of the Walker Institute of Politics at Weber State University and KSL at Night host, will host a special live edition of KSL at Night tonight to follow the caucus and the results. Watch or listen live from 7-9 p.m.
