Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis finished second place in the Iowa Caucus Monday, behind former President Donald Trump.
With an estimated 10% of ballots still to be counted, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis leads Haley by about 2,300 votes or two percentage points in Iowa.
According to the Associated Press, with votes counted in all but one of Iowa’s 99 counties, Haley isn’t doing well enough to catch DeSantis based on the number of outstanding votes.
Read: Maddow Melts Down Over Trump In Iowa, Blames Results On ‘Radicalized’ Republicans
DeSantis and Haley are competing to be the leading alternative to the former president.
Haley intends to compete vigorously in New Hampshire, where she hopes to have more success with the state’s independent voters ahead of the Jan. 23 primary.
DeSantis will travel to New Hampshire on Tuesday following a stop in South Carolina, a conservative stronghold where the Feb. 24 contest could be pivotal.
Before leaving, Haley made a subtle jab at Trump while addressing voters at the same caucus site, according to the AP.
“If you want to move forward with no more vendettas, if you want to move forward with a sense of hope, join us in this caucus,” she said. “I ask for your vote. And I promise you I will make sure every day I focus on what it takes to make you proud.”
Trump’s campaign strategy in Iowa was a combination of effective messaging, mobilization efforts, and a focus on key issues resonating with voters.
He capitalized on his previous experience as president and positioned himself as a leader who could revitalize the economy, strengthen national security, and address pressing concerns such as immigration and healthcare.
Read: From Iowa, Texas Rep. Chip Roy Says Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Is ‘The Guy’
According to a recent poll, 61% of Iowans said their support would remain unchanged if Trump was convicted in any of his trials, while 20% said their support for the former president would increase if Trump was convicted.
The closely watched battle for second place between former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is now in the crosshairs of most GOP voters.
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