Trump dominates Iowa, turnout in Dubuque strong despite frigid temps

 

DUBUQUE, Iowa (CBS 58) -- Despite campaign cancelations over the weekend due to harsh winter weather, former President Donald Trump won Iowa and the frigid cold temps didn't appear to impact turnout at one of the largest caucus locations in Dubuque.

Nearly 400 voters braved the bone-chilling cold to cast their vote at Senior High School for their preferred nominee, but turnout elsewhere was lower than expected.

The final turnout number is still unknown, but precincts reporting so far suggest lower turnout at around 100,000 and 120,000. Before the snowstorm and severe weather, many campaigns predicted a record-breaking year.

The conditions did not influence the results for Trump, who secured a victory in the first 2024 Republican presidential contest on Monday by dominating his rivals. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis finished in second place, while former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley placed third, according to unofficial results.

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy suspended his campaign after earning less than 8% of the vote and endorsed Trump in a speech to supporters.

The Iowa caucuses officially kicked off the 2024 election cycle by setting the tone for the rest of the year.

And even though Iowa doesn't serve as a crystal ball for the remainder of the election, Iowans still see themselves as key players in the process.

"I'm really getting new into politics, so this is something that I get to hear more people opinions," said Celina Feldhake, who caucused for the first time. "I voted in the last election, but I really want to be a part of what Iowa is and what it stands for."

Feldhake knew heading into caucus she'd vote for DeSantis, while others struggled with their choice.

"I'm between DeSantis and Haley," said Darryl Vickerman, of Dubuque. "I liked [Trump] as president, but I don't know if he can win."

A handful voters who previously voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 also showed up pleading their case for an alternative.

"If [Trump's} the candidate again, yeah I'll vote for him again, but I rather have Haley or DeSantis," said John Ludescher. "I think they have a better chance."

Despite some voters wanting to see another candidate emerge, Trump and his supporter dominated the evening.

"It's time to finish what we started and make America great again," said Travis Klinefelter, a longtime Trump supporter. "I don't think the Democrats, Joe Biden stands a chance and Trump's clearly the frontrunner."

Some undecided voters, like Paige Thoma, decided to skip the caucuses.

"There's just so many candidates and when it's narrowed down and people drop out, it's easier to process who stands for what," Thoma said. "It's just a lot of things and when your busy working, raising kids, it's just another thing, yeah know."

More than $123 million was spent by Republican candidates in Iowa, according to AdImpact.