While the various analyses and spin machines on the results from Monday's Iowa Republican Caucuses are still at a fever pitch, one story that's not being talked about much is how one long-shot GOP presidential candidate defied the odds and in the process managed to outperform two established former GOP governors.

Most people in America haven't heard of Ryan Binkley including in New Hampshire, where he's headed next. He's not a former politician nor a current one. 

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But at least 774 people in Iowa knew who Binkley was Monday night, and cast their votes for him. And though he didn't win any delegates, he did best former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, both of whom dropped out of the race (Christie shortly before the caucuses started and Hutchinson after they were over).

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson came in 6th last night in Iowa with less than 200 votes. His vote count was quadrupled by Ryan Binkley, someone who is apparently also running for president. pic.twitter.com/FLoVASiTXv

— Matthew Moore (@MatthewrMoore) January 16, 2024

And though there are no "moral victories" in politics, Binkley sure took his 5th place finish that way:

"Thank you to the great state of Iowa. I enjoyed visiting all 99 counties and getting to know you well. After finishing 5th (but with about 4 times the votes of two former governors and with the suspension of Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign) I am excited and motivated to press on with a vigorous schedule for New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina in the coming days. 

The big question is, why keep going? Well, I have a Republican answer to socialism that works and a road map to a balanced budget that grows the economy. I also want to UNITE the country."

Thank you to the great state of Iowa. I enjoyed visiting all 99 counties and getting to know you well. After finishing 5th (but with about 4 times the votes of two former governors and with the suspension of Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign) I am excited and motivated to press on with… pic.twitter.com/OPAsx3GDdV

— Ryan Binkley (@RyanBinkley) January 16, 2024

Though it's true that Christie spent little to no time in Iowa, focusing instead on New Hampshire - where his campaign has been courting Democratic voters, and dropped out shortly before the caucuses started, it's still gotta sting for him to think that even with the name recognition he undoubtedly has nationally with Republicans that he couldn't even get in the triple digits vote-wise in Iowa, and finished far behind a guy no one had heard of.

Then again, perhaps it is that name recognition that kept voters away from Christie, come to think of it.

As to who Ryan Binkley is, USA Today profiled him on Saturday:

Binkley is the president, CEO and co-founder of Generational Equity Group, a mergers & acquisitions and business advisory group headquartered in Texas. He previously worked in Procter & Gamble and Boston Scientific Corporation before starting Generational in 2006.

He's also the co-founder and lead pastor of the Create Church, based in Richardson, Texas.

Binkley said in recent years he had "heard calls from the Lord about what's needed in our country," leading him to launch the presidential campaign — his first foray into elected politics. He's touting his business acumen and faith in driving a candidacy that will prioritize "solutions for the country."

Also according to the paper, Binkley's priorities are "balancing the federal budget, driving down health care costs, reaching across the aisle to reform immigration policy and 'revitalizing education.'"

While I don't know what the future of the 2024 GOP presidential nomination race holds for Binkley, I do believe that he may go down in Republican political history as the guy who delivered what may be the decisive blow for any future presidential aspirations (beyond 2024) Christie might have had. 

I mean Christie finished below "other." Ouch!

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