CNN to partner with The Des Moines Register on polling ahead of 2020 Iowa caucuses

CNN will partner with Iowa’s largest newspaper, The Des Moines Register, in the lead-up to the Hawkeye State’s 2020 presidential caucuses 14 months from now, the two news organizations announced Thursday. 

The Des Moines Register is home to “The Iowa Poll,” which was founded in 1943 and followed closely by political experts looking to gauge who’s up or down in the first major contest of the presidential election season. 

In 2016, “The Iowa Poll” showed Donald Trump leading the Republican field with 28 percent, Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) with 23 percent and Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) with 15 percent. Cruz ended up winning the caucus with Trump finishing second and Rubio a close third. 

{mosads}On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took 45 percent of the vote in the final 2016 Iowa poll, with Bernie Sanders taking 42 percent. Clinton and Sanders almost tied after all the caucus votes were cast, with Clinton taking 49.9 percent of the vote and Sanders 49.6 percent. 

Many political experts are already predicting more than 20 and perhaps 30 candidates may run for the Democratic nomination against President Trump, putting Iowa even more under the microscope. 

Trump may also be facing a GOP primary challenge, with names including outgoing Ohio Gov. John Kasich, retiring Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) or Sen. Ben Sasse (Neb.) all rumored to be considering challenging the former real estate mogul. 

“The Des Moines Register’s Iowa Poll has long provided unparalleled insights into the opinions of Iowans during the twists and turns of the caucus cycle,” said Carol Hunter, executive editor of the Des Moines Register, in the announcement. “This polling partnership with CNN brings together two news organizations that provide powerhouse political coverage.”

“It may only be four weeks since the midterm election, but the 2020 presidential election cycle is already well underway,” said CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist. 

The Des Moines Register and CNN partnership will be in collaboration with financial sponsor Mediacom, a New York-based cable television and communications firm.