DES MOINES, Iowa — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose campaign some believed would not survive if he failed to place second in the Iowa caucus, narrowly secured the number-two position over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, analysts projected late Monday.
Mr. DeSantis had garnered 21.2% of the vote over Ms. Haley’s 19.1%, with 95% of the precincts reporting. Biotech tycoon Vivek Ramaswamy, who won roughly 7.7% of the vote, announced he is dropping out.
The results won’t narrow the race any further. Mr. DeSantis is headed to both South Carolina and New Hampshire on Tuesday. Ms. Haley is making a bee-line to the Granite State, where one poll showed her single digits behind Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis is trailing in single digits.
Mr. DeSantis declared victory, telling supporters he’d been all but written off.
“In spite of everything they threw at us, everyone against us, we’ve got our ticket punched out of Iowa,” Mr. DeSantis said.
Ms. Haley congratulated Mr. Trump, who was on track to win the caucus by a historic 51% and to win all 99 counties in the Hawkeye State. She did not mention Mr. DeSantis’ narrow win over her and instead declared her narrow third-place finish “will make this Republican primary a two-person race,” between her and Mr. Trump.
She told supporters in Iowa she will head back to New Hampshire Monday night.
“Underestimate me because that’s always fun,” Ms. Haley said. “I love you Iowa, but we’re on to New Hampshire.”
• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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