Trump Towers Over GOP Rivals in Iowa, Spurring Fierce Battle for Second
The race for the Republican presidential nomination is becoming increasingly tight in Iowa as Donald Trump continues to dominate across the state. Trump’s lead in the polls has widened significantly, leaving the other candidates to compete in a fierce battle for the second position.
The latest poll results from Iowa show Donald Trump at 33%, followed by Ted Cruz at 18%, Marco Rubio at 17%, Ben Carson at 9%, and all other candidates below 6%. This represents a substantial lead of 15 points for Trump over his nearest rival, Cruz. Trump has maintained a consistent level of support in Iowa over the past few weeks, while Cruz has seen a 7 point drop in the past month.
The competition for second place appears to be the key focus of the Republican candidates at present. Polls indicate that Ted Cruz is the only candidate that has a realistic chance of overtaking Donald Trump for the top spot, however he is facing staunch competition from his GOP rivals as they all vie for second place.
Marco Rubio has been steadily increasing his numbers in the past few weeks and is particularly strong amongst younger voters in Iowa. Meanwhile, Ben Carson’s campaign has been shifting and focusing on those who are looking for a candidate with a non-traditional background and message.
The intense battle for second in Iowa could very well determine who becomes the eventual Republican nominee. If Cruz is able to overtake Trump and comes in first, then he will be seen as a serious contender; however, if Rubio or Carson is able to grab the second spot, then those candidates would gain a much needed boost of momentum going into future primaries.
Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Iowa will be an important battleground state during this election season and only time will tell who the GOP nominee will be. Trump’s lead in Iowa is substantial, but the fierce competition for the number two position indicates that this election is still up for grabs.