Voters react to Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign suspension after Iowa loss

DES MOINES, Iowa Vivek Ramaswamy suspended his campaign after coming in fourth in the Iowa caucuses Monday night, with voters telling the Daily Caller News Foundation they were disappointed the former business mogul was not “moving on.”

Iowa voters backed former President Donald Trump in Iowa at 51%, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis second at 21.3%, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley at 19% and came third, while Ramaswamy received 7.7%. seconds in the New York Times. After Monday's loss, Ramaswamy told a room full of voters that he supported Trump because he didn't see a way forward, and voters told the DCNF they were “a little surprised” by the decision so soon, but they indicate that they understood.

“I can see the logic behind it,” Aaron, an Iowa voter, told the DCNF. “I wish it would have moved forward, but it's their choice as to how they want to move forward. I think there's going to be some interesting stuff. It's just getting started in terms of how it can serve this country.”

“I was a little surprised,” another voter, Sam, told the DCNF. “I thought I was going to go to New Hampshire, South Carolina and Michigan, like I said, but that's OK. It's his decision.”

Ramaswamy spent a significant amount of time in the Hawkeye State, completing a “Full Grassley,” named after Sen. Chuck Grassley who makes the trip to Iowa's 99 counties each year. As the youngest candidate in the race, Ramaswamy often promoted his connection with young voters, but failed to garner enough support to rally the other voting factions in time for the polls.

breaking up @VivekGRamaswamy announced tonight to voters in Des Moines, Iowa, that he has suspended his campaign following the results of the caucuses.
“As of this moment, we will suspend this presidential campaign.”@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/egXwSZ3i8N

— Kate Anderson (@kliseanderson) January 16, 2024

Others said they hoped their support for the former president would potentially lead to Ramaswamy becoming Trump's vice president. Marty, an early caucus attendee, told the DCNF that he had arrived at his precinct just a minute late and was unable to get in, but said he wanted to support Ramaswamy moving forward, even if he sided with Trump .

“I think a lot of people who would vote for Vivek would also vote for Trump if Vivek wasn't an option,” Marty told the DCNF. “I think they would go Trump's way. So of course Vivek is number one, but if you don't get it this time, maybe you'll get it next time when Trump is ineligible for a third term, so maybe it would be the favorite next time.”

“I was originally won over by Trump,” James told the DCNF. “I was in the Trump camp and he beat me. So if he wants us back, who am I to say no?

Despite this, Trump aide Jason Miller said Sunday that voters should “probably” rule out Ramaswamy for Trump's vice presidential pick, after the former president went after Ramaswamy's “deceptive campaign stunts.” seconds in The New York Post.

One voter, Prsproscovia, told the DCNF that while she “respected” Ramaswamy's endorsement of Trump, she didn't know she would follow him with her vote.

“I'm not going to lie, I respect their decision,” he said. “So you know, you don't get to decide for the people who is the president of the United States. So I'm not going to say he made the right decision to endorse Trump.”

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