Trump rivals hoping for a home stretch miracle in Iowa’s blizzard-bound caucus

A cold, windy morning broke across Iowa on Monday as the three Trump-alternatives running for the GOP nomination made their final cases to voters.

Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Ron DeSantis. Each one is down in the polls and would (currently) lose in a landslide against Donald Trump, both in Iowa and in some imaginary national primary contest combining all 50 states. But in Iowa, these three candidates see a bitter, snowy path forward towards the Republican convention in Milwaukee – however implausible those individual routes may be.

In Urbandale, Iowa, Mr Ramaswamy held the first event of the final day; a packed-to-the-walls town hall meeting at a restaurant known for its farm-to-table commitments. Depending on tonight’s results, it was either a last gasp of his White House bid, or the springboard that will launch him back into relevancy following his drop-off from the debate stage. At the event, Iowans mingled with famous Ramaswamy supporters including Nigel Farage, the Brexit champion turned cheerleader for Maga candidates. Another familiar face spotted with the struggling GOP challenger was Steve King, the former congressman ousted in a 2020 primary amid accusations of being a white nationalist.

Mr Farage spoke to The Independent while the candidate delivered his remarks, and explained his support for the far-right upstart.

“He’s very clear, knows absolutely what he believes in. No confusion about that. It’s quite a radical agenda. But it’s done in a very gentle, very nice, very grown up way,” Mr Farage said.

Nigel Farage makes an appearance at Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign event in Urbandale, Iowa

“I think he represents some of the thinking of the conservative movement for the years to come.”

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