With former President Donald Trump breaking the record at over 50 percent, Gov. Ron DeSantis securing second place ahead of Nikki Haley, and 2 other candidates dropping out of the race, the Iowa caucuses produced some dramatic outcomes on Monday night.
NTD spoke to political commentator Aaron Kall to find out his take on the choices Iowan Republicans made—with the New Hampshire primary already looming large on Jan. 23.
Despite high expectations for Ms. Haley, her failure to secure second place in Iowa may hinder her momentum, leaving the path to the nomination—or even second place behind President Trump—uncertain, Mr. Kall said. The upcoming New Hampshire primary will be critical for Ms. Haley, he said, who must win the state to remain competitive.
Mr. Kall said Ron DeSantis will be pleased to have finished second ahead of Ms. Haley.
“He’s [Gov. Ron DeSantis] certainly spent a lot of time, money, and attention all in Iowa,” said Mr. Kall. “I think one of his best arguments is that he may be the only option to Trump at this point, given that a lot of his second-place supporters would probably go to Trump and not Haley, and so he’s a little bit more conservative and pleasing to the base.”