Washington: In a stunning upset, Senator Ted Cruz beat controversial Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump in the crucial Iowa Caucuses while Democrat Hillary Clinton eked out a victory over Bernie Sanders as the race for the White House began Tuesday.
As the results of the Iowa Caucuses poured in throughout the night, 45-year-old Texas Senator Cruz bagged 28 per cent of the total votes with a lead of over 6,000 votes against Trump’s 24 per cent. With almost all the votes counted, Marco Rubio stood at the third position with 23 per cent.
Among the Democrats, it was razor-thin contest between Clinton and Sanders till the last votes, with the former Secretary of State bagging 50 per cent votes and edging out her rival who secured 49 per cent votes.
Iowa Democratic Party declared 68-year-old Clinton as the winner of the cliffhanger. Clinton ran neck and neck with Sanders throughout the counting of votes. Sanders had trailed behind Clinton by more than 20 points several weeks ago.
In his first reaction after coming second in Iowa, Trump said: “We finished second. I am just honoured. I want to congratulate Ted (Cruz).”
The 69-year-old real estate tycoon said he never expected such a second place finish in Iowa when he started his campaign June 16, 2015.
Referring to the next primary destinations of New Hampshire and South Carolina, Trump exuded confidence over winning the party’s nomination. “We will go on to win the Republican nomination,” Trump said and claimed that he would beat either of the potential Democratic nominee – Clinton or Sanders.
Cruz, in his Iowa victory speech, said, “Tonight is the victory for courageous conservative. Iowa has sent notice that the next Republican nominee or the President would not be chosen by the media, would not be chosen by the lobbyist, or by the Washingtonians…would be chosen by the American people.” Agencies
