Trump wins Iowa caucuses
Former president dominates Webster Co. caucus
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <BR> State Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, speaks on behalf of former President Donald Trump Monday evening during the Webster County Republican Caucus at Fort Dodge Senior High School. Trump won the local caucus, securing 652 votes.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <BR> Webster County Republican Party Chairman Jim Oberhelman, center in blue jacket, leads a meeting of one of the precincts in the gym at Fort Dodge Senior High School during the party caucus Monday evening.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <BR> About 2,000 people filled the gym at Fort Dodge Senior High School Monday evening for the Webster County Republican caucus.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <BR> State Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, speaks on behalf of former President Donald Trump Monday evening during the Webster County Republican Caucus at Fort Dodge Senior High School. Trump won the local caucus, securing 652 votes.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <BR> Webster County Republican Party Chairman Jim Oberhelman, center in blue jacket, leads a meeting of one of the precincts in the gym at Fort Dodge Senior High School during the party caucus Monday evening.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <BR> About 2,000 people filled the gym at Fort Dodge Senior High School Monday evening for the Webster County Republican caucus.
Trending
Former President Donald Trump easily won the Webster County Republican Caucus Monday evening on his way to a statewide victory.
Trump crushed all of his opponents by winning 652 votes from local caucus-goers.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis placed second with 158 votes.
Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, was third with 93 votes.
Vivek Ramaswamy won 69 votes and little-known Ryan Binkley won eight votes.
About 2,000 people filled the gym at Fort Dodge Senior High School for the caucus. That's almost as many as attended a November campaign appearance there by Trump.
At times, Monday's caucus seemed like a Trump rally. Mere mention of the former president's name drew long and loud applause from the crowd.
State Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, spoke on behalf of Trump. He described the former president as "a true patriot, a tried and trusted leader."
He said that three years ago when Trump left office, inflation was reasonable, crime was low and the nation's southern border was under control. Kraayenbrink invited the group to compare those conditions to today.
Later, Kraayenbrink was asked what makes Trump so popular locally.
"No. 1, everything that he campaigned on, he did," the senator replied.
"If he would have not had opposition in Congress, even from members of his own party, he would have gotten a lot more done," he said.
State Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, spoke on behalf of DeSantis, whom she called the "one true conservative in the race."
"When Ron Desantis is our president, he'll secure the border and he actually has a plan to pay for building the wall," Meyer said.
Steve Larson spoke on behalf of Ramaswamy. He challenged those present to vote for a cause rather than a man.
"Vivek is our last chance to make sure the America First movement outlives Trump," he said.
Webster County results
Donald Trump – 652
Ron DeSantis – 158
Nikki Haley – 93
Vivek Ramaswamy – 69
Ryan Binkley – 8
Write-ins – 2