Republican surprise

Democratic dogfight

Turnout high

The US presidential race is underway and there has already been an upset.

Turnout was high for the first caucus of the 2016 US presidential campaign in the state of Iowa.

High turnout in the Iowa caucuses means tight races for Republicans and Democrats https://t.co/6o2GZZwy3Upic.twitter.com/YNricfSLI2 — Bloomberg Business (@business) February 2, 2016

The news from the night

Republican surprise

Ted Cruz won the Iowa caucus for the Republicans.

The 45-year-old Texas Senator clinched 28% of the Republican vote, beating his flamboyant rival Donald Trump into second place.

“Iowa has sent notice that the Republican nominee and the next president of the US will not be chosed by the media, will not be chosen by the Washington elite,” Cruz told his supporters.

Speaking to the media, Trump said he was “honoured” by his second-place finish.

Republican vote:

Ted Cruz : 28%, eight delegates

: 28%, eight delegates Donald Trump : 24%, seven delegates

: 24%, seven delegates Marco Rubio : 23%, seven delegates

: 23%, seven delegates Ben Carson: 9%, three delegates

Candidates Martin O’Malley and Mike Huckabee have suspended their campaigns.

Democratic dogfight

Votes are still being counted in the Democrat camp.

The US media, however, is already declaring it a dead heat.

95% of the votes have been confirmed and the indications are that former first lady Hillary Clinton may have a narrow lead over the 74-year-old senator from Vermont and top challenger, Bernie Sanders.

Referring to the neck-and-neck race with Hillary Clinton, Sanders said voters in Iowa a new era had begun.

“What Iowa has begun tonight is a political revolution. When young people and working people and seniors begin to stand up and say, loudly and clearly, ‘enough is enough’.”

Democratic vote

Hillary Clinton : 50%, 22 delegates

: 50%, 22 delegates Bernie Sanders: 50%, 21 delegates

Who is Ted Cruz?

Born in Canada

Father from Cuba, grandfather from Canary Islands

Legal background

Is pro-life, gun rights, death penalty and free trade

Is against same-sex marriage, civil unions, the legalisation of marijuana and net neutrality

In pictures and tweets

Thank you Iowa! This is OUR time. Join us: https://t.co/YBcXsTJlj4pic.twitter.com/hrHfyyo253 — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 2, 2016

So grateful to everyone who gives your all to support this campaign. You made this possible. pic.twitter.com/gk58CeS3vF — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 2, 2016

From the bottom of my heart: Thank you, Iowa. -H pic.twitter.com/ptMgfAPFMJ — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 2, 2016

Bernie Sanders rallied his supporters earlier after the Iowa Caucuses — it’s still too close to call pic.twitter.com/BAjYzKo1Ia — BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) February 2, 2016

The analysis

How Iowa went wrong for Hillary Clinton https://t.co/GJuuUJSPBq | AP Photo pic.twitter.com/YDto0q90G6 — POLITICO (@politico) February 2, 2016

Direction New Hampshire

The US primary season is now underway.

The other 49 states and US territories will vote for their party nominees over the coming months.

The next votes are in the states of New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

The process gets into full swing with the so-called “Super Tuesday” in March.

Each party’s presidential candidate will be officially nominated in the summer.

The US will vote for its next president in November. He or she will take up office in January 2017.

What they are saying?

“Tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives across Iowa and all across this great nation.” – Ted Cruz

“I am just honoured, I am really honoured. And I want to congratulate Ted and I want to congratulate all of the incredible candidates.” – Donald Trump.

“What Iowa has begun tonight is a political revolution. When young people and working people and seniors begin to stand up and say, loudly and clearly, ‘enough is enough’.” – Bernie Sanders.

Normally we'd be like, “Ugh, right-wing extremist Ted Cruz won Iowa!” But Donald Trump makes it seem a relief. One reason Trump is dangerous — Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) February 2, 2016

Latest nationwide opinion polls