Two possible Texas-based presidential contenders are trailing the leaders in Iowa, the first in the nation caucus state, with a little over a year until the caucus takes place.
According to a new poll released by the Des Moines Register and CNN, Iowa Democrats are showing preference to former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who holds the support of 50 percent of potential caucus-goers. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders comes in second with 19 percent, followed by El Paso Congressman Beto O’Rourke at 11 percent.
Further down the poll, former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro earned the support of 1 percent of potential caucus goers in the poll. Castro is one of a handful of Obama Administration officials included in the poll.
If Castro and O’Rourke joined the race for the Democratic nomination, it would mark the fourth straight cycle where a Texan has been included in either party’s competitive Iowa caucus. In 2016, Texas Senator Ted Cruz won the Republican caucus in the state. In 2012, Texas Congressman Ron Paul placed third in the caucus, followed by then-Texas Governor Rick Perry, who placed fifth. In 2008, Paul also placed fifth in the Iowa Republican caucus.
Aside from Cruz, only two Texans have ever won a contested Iowa caucus. George W. Bush won the caucus in 2000, topping publisher Steve Forbes and diplomat Alan Keyes. Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, also won the caucus in 1980, defeating Ronald Reagan. No Democrat from Texas has ever won that party's Iowa caucus.
The caucus will be held in early 2020.
