Donald Trump Is Iowa Caucus Winner, Surges as GOP's Strongest Presidential Contender

Former President Donald Trump won the Iowa caucus and is emerging as the Republican hopeful with the best chance of winning his party's presidential nomination.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley are battling for the second place and an opportunity to project themselves as viable alternatives to Trump. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who did not qualify for last week's GOP debate, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Texas pastor Ryan Binkley are also competing.

Associate Press declared Trump the winner based on an analysis of early returns as well as the results of AP VoteCast, a survey of voters.

According to a RealClearPolitics roundup of results, Trump won 54.1% of the votes in the Iowa Republican Caucus, with DeSantis taking 19.1% and Haley 18.9%. Fourth place went to Ramwswamy, with 7.1%.

An issue of age

This is a big first step for Trump in his quest for a second term at the White House, showing his momentum has not been slowed by the many court cases he is facing. Trump could square off with President Joe Biden who is widely expected to be the Democratic Party's nominee.

But both candidates are also facing questions about their age, adding another layer of uncertainty over a rematch between them.

Biden is 81 and questions have swirled around his ability to lead the world's most powerful country at a time of major conflicts and geopolitical tensions. Trump is 77.

How the caucus was held

Unlike a primary where voters cast their ballots for the candidates vying for the nomination, a caucus requires votes to physically attend specific meetings and therefore see a lower voter turnout. But this time Arctic storms that have swept across the country has made swathes of the state impassable -- visibility is low and the storms have dumped about 20 inches of snow.

Traditionally, this caucus is the first to be held in the season, followed by New Hampshire and South Carolina.

DeSantis and Haley, who postponed Friday events amid the frigid conditions, held in-person events amid the subzero temperatures Monday. The bitter cold raises a big problem for DeSantis and Haley who have to build up enough momentum before the primay in New Hampshire next week.

Democrats are also holding a caucus Monday, but have opted for voters to choose their candidate by mail-in ballot. Those results will be released on Super Tuesday on March 5.

-With information from IBTimes.com