Iowa: Cruz Wins, Rubio Outperforms Polling, Trump Disappoints

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Feb 02, 2016

Iowa: Cruz Wins, Rubio Outperforms Polling, Trump Disappoints

The results from yesterday evening’s Iowa caucuses are in, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has been declared the Republican winner, while former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton narrowly came out ahead of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Fox News reports that Cruz’s team worked long and hard to achieve this victory.

“Tonight is a victory for the grassroots. Tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives across Iowa and all across this great nation,” Cruz told cheering supporters after the results came in.

Cruz received 28 percent of the vote, followed by Trump with 24 percent. Rubio followed Trump closely with 23 percent, although Trump and Rubio both received seven delegates, while Cruz received eight.

Political commentators speculate that Trump’s decision to boycott the last GOP debate may have affected his placement in Iowa. Fox News reports that though Rubio came in third, he could be considered one of the winners as his campaign is gaining momentum, while "Trump fever has broken." 

“For months they told us we had no chance. … They told me I needed to wait my turn,” Rubio said. “But tonight … here in Iowa, the people in this great state sent a very clear message. After seven years of Barack Obama, we are not waiting any longer to take our country back.” 

Fox News also reports that a majority of the Iowa voters who were undecided leading up to the caucuses ultimately chose to support Rubio.

Bernie Sanders' close race with Hillary Clinton also was a surprise. Clinton received 22 delegates while Sanders received 21. 

Though it was a narrow victory, Clinton said she was “breathing a big sigh of relief.”

The candidate are now heading to New Hampshire for the first primary which will take place on February 9.  

Photo courtesy: flickr.com

Publication date: February 2, 2016



Iowa: Cruz Wins, Rubio Outperforms Polling, Trump Disappoints