Even though Chris Mudd achieved the outcome he desired in Iowa—a significant victory for Donald Trump—the reaction he thinks the Republican Party would benefit from was not what he had hoped for.
“I think all of the others should get out of the way,” was his perspective on what should happen now that the former president won Iowa, and he won convincingly.
That is not going to happen. Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who came in third, and Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who came in a distant second, both promised to keep fighting.
Everyone at Mudd’s office was in a happy mood on Tuesday morning because he owned a solar energy company.
“More than half of the vote and 98 counties. “Not bad!” he wrote in his text message.
Mudd is a part of an AWN initiative that will follow the 2024 campaign from the perspective of voters in pivotal areas or who make up important swing blocs. Our other four Iowans were let down by the outcome after settling on Haley. By night’s end, Haley had a slim chance of winning over just one of Iowa’s 99 counties—Johnson.
Shanen Ebersole, a cattle farmer from conservative Ringgold County, was one of the few who voted for Haley; he spoke about his expectations of a Trump crushing victory. The real question, she hoped, is who can defeat Biden, as the campaign moved on from Iowa. That ought to be the centre of attention for Republicans.
Sioux City attorney Priscilla Forsyth voted for Trump in the general election of 2016 and again in 2020. She caucused for Trump in 2016. On Monday, she endorsed Haley because she thought the GOP would be better off without Trump and because she thought she did a great job at campaign events and debates.
As the night progressed, we received texts from Forsyth, including one that read, “Looks like I’ll have to get my Trumpy bear back out, lol.” Regarding Trump’s victory, I do not feel guilty. I will gladly cast my ballot for him if he is nominated.
In both 2016 and 2020, Trump won Iowa. This year, any Republican would be the favourite in the state’s general election.
The caucuses may be over, but our voters there still have something to say about next year’s election. For instance, one interesting aspect of the Iowa results to keep an eye on is whether or not Trump can replicate his success in making minor gains in the suburbs in the remaining states. What happens to people who did not support Trump in the nomination race if he is named the nominee in November? This is an essential topic.
For instance, real estate professional and single mother Betsy Sarcone lives in the suburbs of Des Moines.
The idea of a rematch between Biden and Trump was something she expressed her disapproval of when we first met last summer, although she did say this: “That’s really hard.”. However, I would have to go with Biden because, frankly, I simply cannot endorse Trump’s increased power in our nation.
A switch, though, is next.
No way. Trump would be my choice,” Sarcone texted early Tuesday morning. When we initially spoke six months ago, Biden was much better. Now, I think he’s far worse. In six months, I have no idea what he’ll be up to.
Also residing in the Des Moines suburbs, Jaclyn Taylor is an entrepreneur and single mother. She expressed that her unhappiness with Biden’s performance would be more significant than her strong dislike of Trump’s behaviour.
Regarding her preference for November, should there be a rematch, she stated, “Trump” on Tuesday. Not another four years of Biden in power, in my opinion. Our leadership is aimless right now, and I’m curious to watch how the next four years of Trump’s presidency pave the way for a new crop of presidential leaders. If Republicans aren’t represented by DeSantis or Haley, I see this as my only choice.
The family cattle farm is located in southwestern Iowa, two hours away from the suburbs of Des Moines, where Ebersole resides.
When questioned about her decision in the event of a rematch between Biden and Trump, she texted, “That’s a horrible question.” But if I could, I’d vote for Trump and stick with Biden for another four years. To me, supporting Trump is like casting a ballot to ensure his defeat.
Given Trump’s popularity, why does Ebersole doubt his ability to win?
“The people he inspires on the extreme right make too many moderates afraid,” she remarked.
For the time being at least, all of the Haley backers in our Iowa group are ready to vote for Trump come November. I find that interesting.
Sarcone, however, is holding on to the hope that the former president would be marginalised, much like many of Trump’s detractors.
Her text message from Tuesday morning concluded like this:
“Bets are off for Trump in the courtroom leading up to November; I’m going with Option C.” How does she handle punctuation? Hopefully, everything works out.