In a come-from-behind victory, Senator Ted Cruz won the Iowa Caucuses by a four-point margin over rival Donald Trump. Polls had predicted a Trump victory heading into the Iowa vote.
In a fiery victory speech, Cruz credited God, Iowa voters and volunteers for their efforts in his grassroots campaign.
"Let me first of all say, to God be the glory," Cruz said. "Tonight is a victory for the grassroots. ...Tonight the state of Iowa has spoken. Iowa has sent notice."
According to the Cruz campaign, Iowans cast the most votes ever for any Republican primary in the state's history. The turnout exceeded expectations, with Caucus locations staying open late to accommodate large lines.
Cruz asked the jubilant crowd what scared the so-called Washington cartel, to which they responded, "Cruz!" But the senator had another answer for them, referencing 'we the people.'
"Actually, not remotely," he said. "I don't scare them in the tiniest bit. What scares them is you."
The senator thanked a slew of supporters, including his "hero" and father Rafael Cruz, national co-chairmen Bob Vander Plaats, Iowa Senator Steve King, Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, Dr. James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Ducky Dynasty's Phil Robertson and Glenn Beck.
Listen to Ted Cruz's full victory speech from Iowa below:
Below is a rush transcript of this segment, it might contain errors:
Featured Image: Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) embraces his wife Heidi in front of supporters at the caucus night gathering at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on February 1, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. Cruz beat out frontrunner Donald Trump and Marco Rubio (R-FL) to win the Iowa caucuses. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)