They do not believe he has a chance at losing.
Bryan Whipp, head of the Page County GOP in Iowa, faced challenges finding a larger site for the upcoming GOP presidential caucus due to the anticipated high turnout, driven by former President Donald Trump’s popularity. Among the 50 Republican county chairs surveyed about the likely winner, 43 favored Trump, while a few chose Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Despite Trump lagging in visits to Iowa compared to other 2024 hopefuls, he maintained strong support, defying the state’s tradition of favoring candidates with robust ground operations. DeSantis, though investing time and resources, has struggled to break Trump’s hold on the state.
Trump’s enduring support is notable, given his fewer visits and ongoing legal challenges, which some county chairs believe strengthen his backing. Several chairs mentioned Trump’s supporters remaining dedicated to his campaign since its launch, making it challenging for other contenders to diminish his lead.
While polls overwhelmingly favor Trump, some chairs suggest a surprise outcome is possible, with undecided caucusgoers and potential weather-related factors. The NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll shows Trump with a substantial lead, raising questions about the future of candidates like DeSantis if they perform poorly in Iowa.
Despite uncertainties, some chairs believe candidates should stay in the race even if they don’t win Iowa, emphasizing that losing in Iowa doesn’t necessarily preclude winning the nomination.
