US
Donald Trump projected to easily win Iowa caucuses as challengers battle for second place
Donald Trump has easily won the Republican party’s Iowa caucuses, according to a projection by Sky’s US partner NBC News.
The voting is the first step in a process that’s likely to see the former president picked as Republican candidate for November’s election.
Mr Trump was overwhelming favourite to be top pick among Republican members in Iowa and all eyes are now on his margin of victory and who comes second.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley are hoping for a respectable result to position themselves as a credible outside challenger.
Mr Trump had urged supporters in Iowa to brave temperatures as cold as -30C to register their vote, joking “even if you vote and then pass away, it’s worth it”.
Nikki Haley is hoping to fend off Ron DeSantis for second place
Mr DeSantis has crisscrossed the state to make his case
Voting among Republican party members began at 7pm local time in hundreds of schools, community centres and other venues across Iowa.
Those who attend listen to speeches on behalf of each candidate before making their choice.
The ex-president is currently forecast to secure 17 delegates in Iowa, with his two main challengers each predicted to pick up five.
His current share of the votes is forecast at over 50%, while the two challengers have around 20% each.
If verified, it would comfortably be the largest-ever margin of victory in the state.
A big win would also strengthen Mr Trump’s claim that he’s the only candidate able to mount a serious challenge to President Biden.
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A Trump supporter in Des Moines, Iowa. Pic: AP
Votes are counted at Fellows Elementary School in Ames, Iowa
A series of caucuses and primaries in different states are used to determine how many delegates each candidate has at the national convention in the summer – where the ultimate winner is chosen.
New Hampshire hosts the next Republican vote on 23 January.
Donald Trump’s expected victory in Iowa comes despite him facing four criminal cases, with some states trying to bar him from standing.