IOWA, USA — Iowa Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians will all host their party caucuses on Jan. 15, giving caucusgoers plenty of options to choose from.
Candidates have been trying to win over Iowans for months, urging potential caucusgoers to turn out to the presidential nominating contest.
But while Republicans and Libertarians will make their nominations at the party caucuses themselves, Democrats will have significantly more time for their selections.
While Democrats will still hold in-person precinct caucuses on Jan. 15, any registered Democrat wishing to participate in the nominating process must mail in a presidential preference card by Monday, Feb. 19. The results of the Iowa Democratic Caucus will then be announced on Tuesday, March 5.
Meanwhile, Iowans not affiliated with a political party are ineligible to participate in the Iowa caucuses – unless they switch party affiliations to one of the three recognized parties.
Below is a full list of all the major candidates participating in the 2024 Iowa Caucus.
Editor’s Note: Hundreds of candidates have filed their candidacy for president with the Federal Elections Commission. Local 5 has chosen to limit the candidates listed below to those campaigning in Iowa and/or with name recognition within their respective parties.
REPUBLICANS
Former President Donald Trump is the frontrunner going into the 2024 caucuses While he failed to defeat President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, his right-wing policies have long appealed to evangelical voters in Iowa.
While Trump still has a large array of supporters, he remains a controversial figure in American politics. After losing the election to Biden, Trump publicly contested the results, which ultimately led to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The former president's campaign has taken place as Trump faces multiple legal threats, including civil suits and four criminal cases.
For months, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has tried to bill himself as the top alternative to Trump, highlighting conservative wins in Florida. While it's yet to be seen whether or not these efforts will win over caucusgoers, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds endorsed the Florida governor in November, saying "We need someone who puts this country first and not himself."
Former South Carolina Senator and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has been fighting DeSantis for second place in the leadup to the 2024 Iowa Caucus. For most of the campaign, Haley has positioned herself as being above the fray, saying in a TV advertisement that Republicans need “to leave behind the chaos and drama of the past”.
Biotech entrepreneur and “Woke, Inc.,” author Vivek Ramaswamy made a name for himself this campaign cycle with his fiery debate jabs and unique policy positions. In particular, Ramaswamy has spoken extensively about eliminating longstanding federal agencies, like the FBI, as well as raising the voting age to 25.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has been polling at 1% or less in Iowa since May 2023. A fierce critic of Trump, Hutchinson has vowed throughout his campaign to protect states' rights and maintain anti-abortion policies.
Ryan Binkley
Businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley entered the race in spring of 2023, but has failed to garner support in Iowa.
DEMOCRATS
Joe Biden
President Joe Biden is seeking a second term in office, asking Americans to put their faith in him to defeat former President Donald Trump a second time.
If Biden were to win reelection, he'd be America's oldest president and finish his second term at 86 years old.
Self-help author Marianne Williamson previously ran for president in 2020. Her current platform includes creating a U.S. Department of Peace, the federal government giving Black Americans financial reparations and advocating for reproductive rights.
Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips launched a largely symbolic primary campaign against President Biden back in October. While the 54-year-old is often politically aligned with Biden, he has called on other Democrats to embrace and elect new, younger leadership.
Chase Oliver
Once dubbed "the most influential libertarian in the United States" by Rolling Stone, Chase Olivier is a libertarian activist who ran for a Georgia senate seat in 2022. He took in 2.1% of the vote on Nov. 8, leading to a runoff election between Sen. Rafael Warnock and Herschel Walker.
Lars Mapstead
Lars Mapstead is a tech entrepreneur who has criticized the two-party political system. On his website, Mapstead says he hopes to "return our government back to the American people - where it belongs."
Michael ter Maat
Michael ter Maat is a former police officer and Florida congressional candidate. Throughout his campaign, he has called for criminal justice reform, medical freedom and more.
