Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has beaten Donald Trump in a tight race for the Republican Iowa caucuses, the Associated Press reported Monday.
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were locked in a close race on the Democratic side.
Cruz was lagging behind Trump in some polls in the days before the caucuses, but managed to pull a last-minute upset.
The victory gives Cruz a boost going into the New Hampshire primaries on Feb. 9. Trump is leading there in the polls by double digits.
Trump told his supporters he was “honored” to finish second and congratulated Cruz.
“We finished second,” Trump said. “And I want to tell you something. I’m just honored. I’m really honored and I want to congratulate Ted and want to congratulate all the incredible candidates … Congratulations to everybody.”
Typically, Trump then took a final swipe at Clinton. “We will go on to get the Republican nomination and we will go on to easily beat Hillary or Bernie or whoever the hell they throw up there. Iowa we love you, we thank you. You’re special … In fact, I think I might come here and buy a farm. I love it,” Trump said.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was in third place.
“They told me we had no chance because my hair wasn’t grey enough and my boots were too high,” Rubio told supporters Monday night.
BREAKING: Ted Cruz wins the Republican caucuses in Iowa. @AP race call at 10:26 p.m. EST. #Election2016 #APracecall
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 2, 2016