Iowa GOP chair predicts ‘robust turnout’ at caucuses despite frigid conditions

The Iowa Republican Party chairman predicted “robust turnout” for Monday night's caucuses despite subzero temperatures.

“Right now, unless we actually get ice that makes travel impossible, unless we have whiteout conditions, unless we actually get snow, I'm most concerned about temperature in terms of reducing turnout. “Iowans know how to dress appropriately,” Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufman told reporters. at a bloomberg event Sunday.

“Of course we warn them, but from what I'm hearing, from what I'm seeing at meetings, and from speaking to dozens of committee chairs and branch chiefs today, here… “And I think we're going to have solid turnout there,” he added.

Forecasters warned of a “life-threatening” snowstorm over the weekend in Iowa ahead of the caucuses. Temperatures are hovering below zero, and forecasters warned that wind chills could reach minus 40 degrees in some parts of Iowa on Monday.

The frigid conditions have raised questions about whether supporters of the Republican presidential candidate will attend Monday's caucuses. Republican presidential candidates hit the state over the weekend, urging voters to brave the cold weather to caucus. It is not yet clear among political analysts which candidates will be helped or hurt by the possibility of low caucus turnout.

Kaufman said high turnout in the caucuses could keep Iowa in the first round of the 2028 presidential election.

“Personally, I’m excited about this because heading into 2028, we have to make the case that we deserve this. Even in these circumstances, we had a solid result. . Iowa State absolutely deserves to be No. 1 in the nation,” Kaufman said.