Vivek Ramaswamy struggles to gain traction with Iowa Republicans as critics question his path ahead

By MARGERY A. BECK and ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON
Associated Press

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Vivek Ramaswamy has failed to rise in the 2024 Republican presidential primary race and is increasingly risking becoming an afterthought. At a recent Iowa campaign event, hardly anyone was in the room when Ramaswamy was supposed to start. Ramaswamy took the stage an hour late with about 60 people. Ex-President Donald Trump is the front-runner in the primary. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and ex-United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley are increasingly targeting each other as they vie for second place. Ramaswamy still holds many events in Iowa, including multiple on Tuesday and Wednesday. But the 38-year-old Hindu faces persistent voter questions about his age, faith and positions on Israel.