US Iowa Caucus, Buttigieg Surprises with 1st Place Performance

Senator Sanders in Tight Race for 1st Place
Former Vice President Biden Falls to 4th, Undermining Momentum

Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg
[Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has taken first place in the Iowa caucus interim results, the first hurdle in the Democratic presidential primary race. This aligns with Buttigieg's earlier claim that he secured first place.

According to U.S. media including The New York Times, in the caucus results announced by the Iowa Democrats at 5 p.m. local time on the 4th, former Mayor Buttigieg received 26.9%. Senator Bernie Sanders, initially expected to take first place, is narrowly behind. Senator Sanders took second place with 25.1%. Following him, Senator Elizabeth Warren received 18.3%.

Former Vice President Joe Biden came in fourth with 15.6%. Biden's plan to prove his momentum through the Iowa caucus has suffered a major setback.

This result reflects 62% of the vote count. When asked by reporters whether the announced results could be trusted, the Iowa Democrats insisted, "The announced results are accurate."