Why Iowa's competitors of Trump believe in their chances of victory

The upcoming Iowa caucuses are just weeks away, and Donald Trump currently holds a significant lead in the Republican race for the White House. However, there is potential for his rivals to catch up through their continued spending on campaign efforts. Marlys Popma, an undecided voter, recently attended a speech by former UN ambassador Nikki Haley and was persuaded to support her. Popma urged fellow Republicans not to be afraid to support their preferred candidate, even if they believe someone else is more likely to win. In a recent poll, 54% of likely caucus-goers in Iowa chose Trump as their top choice, compared to 18% for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 12% for Haley, and 6% for Vivek Ramaswamy. To close the gap, the candidates have been busy campaigning in Iowa, with DeSantis allocating $3.3 million for advertising, Haley pledging $3.5 million, and Ramaswamy committing an impressive $8 million, although they have only spent a fraction of that amount so far. Many voters in Iowa remain undecided, and they believe there is still room for change before the caucuses. Trump's limited campaign schedule and absence from events have led some supporters to consider other candidates. However, Trump remains confident that he will secure victory in Iowa. The outcome of the Iowa caucuses does not guarantee the nomination, but it holds significant importance as the first major state-wide vote in the presidential primary campaign. Candidates who perform poorly in Iowa are more likely to drop out of the race, while a strong performance can provide momentum. Trump's dominance is evident from the large crowds at his events, while his rivals' gatherings offer more intimate interactions. However, Ramaswamy's events have attracted a younger and more diverse crowd. Despite Trump's expected first-place finish, a narrower loss could keep other candidates in the race and indicate the presence of an alternative to Trump. With a few more weeks remaining before the caucuses, Iowans acknowledge that surprising results may still occur.