Yesterday, the election cycle officially started, as the Iowa caucuses kick started the race for each party’s nominee. The two winners of the caucuses were Ted Cruz and Hillary Clinton, with Clinton narrowly ousting Bernie Sanders by 0.2% of the final results. But what needs to be looked at significantly is the fact that Hillary isn’t what she seems to have been just months ago, as she was looked at as the Democrats inevitable nominee, as Bernie Sanders has quickly, and alarmingly for the Clinton campaign, grown in popularity.

   While she may have finished the night on top in Iowa, it’s almost certain that she’s not the one that gained the most from the Iowa caucuses. In fact, Bernie Sanders should be looked at as the true winner. In fact, if Martin O’Malley had dropped out of the race sooner, perhaps Sanders would have topped Clinton at the end of the night. However, what needs to be looked at is the momentum that Sanders will gain from the night in Iowa. As he will almost certainly win the New Hampshire primary by a large margin over Clinton, there will only be more momentum for Sanders, which is what those in the Clinton campaign fear the most.

   Now with O’Malley out of the race, that leaves a small percentage of voters left to be accounted for, which, while it is a small number of voters, proved pivotal as Clinton ousted Sanders by 0.2% while O’Malley received 0.6% of the final results, both candidates will need to win those supporters, which does not play well into Clinton’s hands. As seen throughout this campaign season, Clinton has not done well in swinging new voters, which has been pivotal for Sanders’ success. This should be the most alarming fact for the Clinton, as she continues to dwindle, especially among young and first time voters.

   As the election continues to push on, keep an eye on Bernie Sanders, as he is bound to continue rising in the race for the Democratic nomination. Hillary Clinton may have come out on top in Iowa, but she almost certainly cannot be going into the next states with the confidence of Bernie Sanders. The next big battle in this race will be the fight to pick up the Martin O’Malley supporters, though, as the last few months have shown, Sanders should be the one to be favored in this fight.