The Iowa Democratic Party has released partial results from the presidential caucus after a disastrous voting malfunction caused a delay. The party’s new voting app was a statewide failure, leaving officials unable to deliver the results as expected on Monday.
Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg boldly made a victory speech before any results had been reported, but it looks like he may come out ahead after all.
As of Wednesday morning, 71 percent of precincts have now reported their results. Buttigieg is maintaining a slight lead with 26.8 percent of the vote, while Sen. Bernie Sanders is in a close second with 25.2 percent. Each of the top two candidates currently has 10 pledged delegates. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is in third place with 18.4 percent, while former Vice President Joe Biden is in fourth with 15.4 percent.
The state has 41 delegates up for grabs, and candidates must win at least 15 percent of the vote to win delegates. Iowa’s archaic caucus system involves people attending lengthy meetings in churches, schools, and other community buildings in order to debate the candidates and cast their votes.
Forecasters are predicting that Buttigieg will remain in the lead. Still, with a large chunk of precincts still yet to report their results, these standings could absolutely change.
Buttigieg made a speech on late Monday night. He appeared to claim victory despite the lack of results, calling his husband “the future first gentleman of the United States.”
“We don’t know all the results, but we know by the time it’s all said and done, Iowa, you have shocked the nation,” Buttigieg said. “By all indications, we are going on to New Hampshire victorious.”
Other candidates also made optimistic speeches that night, including Warren, Biden, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Andrew Yang.
No matter what happens, Buttigieg will be the first LGBTQ+ person in history to win delegates in a presidential primary. His strong performance in Iowa will provide momentum as the candidates head to New Hampshire for the next state primary.
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