In the initial race of the 2024 presidential election, Nikki Haley, a Republican, secured the third position in the Iowa Caucus on January 15, trailing behind former president Donald Trump, who garnered over 51 percent of the vote.
Despite sub-zero temperatures, voters turned out in Iowa to cast their votes, making it a crucial event shaping the trajectory of the presidential primaries. Traditionally, Iowa serves as a pivotal indicator of primary outcomes.
Haley claimed 19 percent of the vote, with DeSantis slightly ahead by fewer than 1,500 votes as of 9 pm. The Associated Press, declaring Trump as the winner, projected DeSantis to secure the second position after the final vote count.
As the results unfolded, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy opted to end his campaign after receiving only 7.7 percent of the vote.
“We’re getting to see democracy in action tonight. Thanks to everyone who’s participating. We have a country to save,” Haley posted on X — formerly Twitter.
The focus now shifts to New Hampshire on January 23, where Haley anticipates support from the state’s 1 million independent voters. Haley, a former South Carolina governor, has polled well with Independents and garnered some crossover support from Democrats.
DeSantis is heading to South Carolina, Haley’s home state, aiming for a strong performance. Shekar Narasimhan, a Democrat and founder of the AAPI Victory Fund, believes Haley must secure at least the second position in South Carolina, with Trump considered the likely winner.
Non-Trump Republicans increasingly view Haley as their strongest contender for the White House. A YouGov poll released on January 14 indicated that Haley would outperform President Joe Biden by 8 points in a hypothetical general election matchup.
On “Meet the Press” on January 14, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, discussed Haley’s potential, stating, “I think she is a great candidate. Considering national security, safeguarding borders, and countering global adversaries, Nikki Haley possesses expertise in these areas. This could be a decisive factor appealing to diverse voters.”
Haley has garnered significant endorsements and made inroads into Indian American support, with notable donors like Vivek Garipalli, founder of Clover Health, contributing $1 million to her campaign through the Super PAC, the SFA Fund. The investigation of Haley’s campaign finance data revealed that 23 out of 146 entries to the SFA Fund are from Indian American donors, with an average contribution of $7,000.
