Iowa Caucuses results

Around 20 individuals attended the Democratic Caucus on Jan. 3.

For being “First in the Nation” for caucusing, Iowa had a very poor turnout at only four percent of the population. In the 2008 election, New Hampshire had 25 percent of voters attend and Texas had 22.5 percent.

Howard County had a total of 274 Republicans. Democratic numbers were unavailable.

Current U.S. President Barack Obama easily won the Democratic nomination. In Lime Springs, the caucus was held at the Community Center on Jan. 3.

The Republicans had a much larger crowd at Lime Springs-Chester Elementary School since there were nine candidates who made a showing. Casting their vote for the next Republican nominee were residents of Albion, Forest City, Chester, Oak Dale, Jamestown, Saratoga and Howard Center Townships, along with citizens of Lime Springs, Chester and part of Riceville.

Elma Knights of Columbus Hall had voters from Afton, Howard and Paris II.

NICC at Cresco had residents of Cresco 1A and B, 2, 3 and Protivin, along with the townships of New Oregon, Paris I and Vernon Springs.

Howard County cannot be labeled as a follower as its numbers were different from the state. While Mitt Romney had just eight more votes than Rick Santorum statewide, Howard County had Santorum ahead of Romney by 57. In fact, Howard was the only surrounding county to vote Santorum on top. Michele Bachmann placed sixth in the state but third in Howard.

Winneshiek had Ron Paul leading 25 percent over Newt Gingrich’s 24 percent and Romney’s 22 percent.

Chickasaw County also had Paul in the lead with 32 percent of the votes. Romney had 19 percent and Rick Perry had 17 percent. In Mitchell County, Paul won again at 29 percent, Gingrich had 26 percent and Santorum had 21 percent.