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US election: Ted Cruz wins Iowa Republican vote US election: Ted Cruz wins Iowa Republican vote
(35 minutes later)
Texas Senator Ted Cruz has won the Iowa Republican caucuses, the first vote of the US 2016 presidential election.Texas Senator Ted Cruz has won the Iowa Republican caucuses, the first vote of the US 2016 presidential election.
Businessman Donald Trump was leading in polling ahead of the vote but is likely to finish in second place. "Tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives," he declared, to great applause, as he railed against Washington, lobbyists and the media.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio appears to have performed far better than expected, and will probably finish in third place. He took 28% of the Republican vote, beating his rival, the once frontrunner Donald Trump, and Marco Rubio.
Votes in the Democratic race are still being counted. Votes in the Democratic race are still being counted, and suggest a tight race between the two leading candidates.
Follow our live updatesFollow our live updates
With 85% of results in, frontrunner Hillary Clinton and self-proclaimed Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders are less than 1% apart. With 85% of results in, frontrunner Hillary Clinton and self-proclaimed Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders, a 74-year-old senator from Vermont, are less than 1% apart.
Speaking after the results, Marco Rubio congratulated Mr Cruz and said he was the candidate who could unify the divided Republican party. Ms Clinton addressed her supporters but did not explicitly declare victory, choosing instead to say that she was "breathing a sigh of relief".
Just minutes after that, Mr Trump took to another stage where he too congratulated the Texas senator, and said he was "honoured" by the second-place finish. No such ambiguity from Republican victor Mr Cruz, whose triumph was reward for the months he spent criss-crossing the state to woo its influential conservative and evangelical leaders.
At least two candidates are dropping out following the results. As country music blared across the loud speaker, the 45-year-old senator relished his victory, taking his time to come to the stage in Des Moines, hugging supporters, family and staff.
"Iowa has sent notice that the republican nominee and the next president of the United States will not be chosen by the media, will not be chosen by the Washington establishment," he said.
"Tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives across Iowa and all across this great nation."
Mr Trump congratulated the Texas senator and said he was "honoured" by the second-place finish.
Mr Rubio, who has struggled to gain traction in recent months, has performed far better than expected, and finished in third place - just one percentage point off of Mr Trump.
The Democratic race is proving to be a tough fight, with votes still be counted and less than 1% difference between Ms Clinton and Mr Sanders.
Sources close to Democrat Martin O'Malley, former Maryland governor, have told the BBC that he will suspend his campaign - narrowing the field to two competitive candidates.Sources close to Democrat Martin O'Malley, former Maryland governor, have told the BBC that he will suspend his campaign - narrowing the field to two competitive candidates.
On the Republican side, Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee tweeted that he too would suspend his campaign.On the Republican side, Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee tweeted that he too would suspend his campaign.
More on Senator Ted CruzMore on Senator Ted Cruz
What would a Cruz presidency be like? Imagining the first terms of Mr Cruz and other candidatesWhat would a Cruz presidency be like? Imagining the first terms of Mr Cruz and other candidates
Three things Ted Cruz says: A 60-second summary of the Republican candidate's stump speechThree things Ted Cruz says: A 60-second summary of the Republican candidate's stump speech
The Texan Tea Partier: Ted Cruz's rapid, rocky ascension to presidential candidateThe Texan Tea Partier: Ted Cruz's rapid, rocky ascension to presidential candidate
How does a US election work? If you want to be president, it helps to be governor, senator, or five-star military general - and have lots of patienceHow does a US election work? If you want to be president, it helps to be governor, senator, or five-star military general - and have lots of patience
Special report: The BBC's full coverage of the race to the White HouseSpecial report: The BBC's full coverage of the race to the White House
Iowa has an unusual election system called a caucus, which involves people gathering at private homes, schools and other public buildings across the state.
Democratic voters divide themselves into groups based on their preferred candidate, but the Republican caucus process is more like a traditional ballot.
Over the coming months, the other 49 states as well as US territories will vote for the party nominees.
Each states' delegates will be tallied and a nominee will become apparent as the summer draws near.
In November, the US will pick who its next president will be. He or she will assume office in January 2017.