The Iowa Caucus was held Monday night and, per usual, a good deal of news occurred as a result.
- On the Republican side, Senator Ted Cruz won with 27.7% of the vote. Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio followed with 24.3% and 23.1%, respectively. Rubio did better than expected, especially relative to Trump.
- On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has declared victory while Senator Bernie Sanders has declared “a virtual tie.” Clinton leads Sanders, 49.9% to 49.6%. The race was seen as too close to call for a majority of the night, but Clinton did declare victory. Sanders has not conceded yet and has said that he will contact the Iowa Democratic Party.
- Former Governor Martin O’Malley suspended his presidential bid on Monday night. As a result of the 15% viability threshold, O’Malley got 0% of the vote in many precincts and counties and ended the night with 0.5% of the vote.
- Former Governor Mike Huckabee has also suspended his presidential bid after coming in ninth. Huckabee won the Iowa caucus eight years ago. The three candidates below him, Christie, Santorum, and Gilmore, are all moving forward. Chris Christie and Jim Gilmore have placed a high emphasis on New Hampshire while Rick Santorum is going to South Carolina.
- The Carson campaign is reiterating that their candidate is not dropping out. Reports said that Carson was going back to his home after the Iowa caucus which is typical for candidates before they drop out. However, the campaign said that Carson only needed a “fresh set of clothes.”
- The Republican caucus set a new turnout record.