Uncertainty in the 2016 U.S. presidential election began to unfold in an early stage as Texas Senator Ted Cruz won the Iowa Republican caucus with a comfortable lead over billionaire developer Donald Trump, while Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were deadlocked in a tight Democratic race.

The Iowa caucuses, which opened votes at 7 p.m. local time on Monday (0100GMT on Tuesday), is the first state-by-state contest for parties to pick nominees for the presidential race in November.

Cruz's victory was a heavy blow to the controversial front-runner Trump, who had ignited anger even in his own party with bold statements on issues such as immigration. Cruz, a conservative senator, has also been criticized by establishment Republicans.

Earlier opinion polls showed that reality TV star Trump held small lead over his close rival Cruz.

The Iowa caucus votes might also be considered a victory for Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who ranked third, behind Trump but only by a slim margin. The results helped ensure his status as a popular alternative candidate for mainstream Republican voters who dislike Cruz or Trump.

On the democratic side, the results are not yet clear.

Clinton, the former secretary of state, U.S. senator and first lady, though regarded as the front-runner, faces stiff competition from Vermont Senator Sanders, who appeals to liberal Democrats who are discontent with the widening gap of wealth in the country.

Clinton, who has been calling herself a progressive, said in an interview on Monday that her past bipartisan efforts in the Senate made her more qualified to lead the country.

Supporters are lauding her experience, while opponents are still raising questions about her use of a personal email account for official business as secretary of state and doubting her honesty.

Sanders, who made generous promises for American workers, is also frowned upon by some voters with his plans to provide free college education and health care to all.

Analysts say a win in Iowa is important for Clinton, given that Sanders is leading in polls in New Hampshire, the next stop for the nominating contest.

Even though a victory in Iowa could hardly guarantee the nomination, a win in this first contest could help a candidate gain momentum for later races and could obtain the favor of the media, which is known for its horse race coverage in U.S. presidential campaigns.

Uncertainty is expected to linger in the coming races for the 2016 presidential election, as candidates strive to gain their votes at a time when the economy awaits further recovery and security concerns over terrorism have been rattling the Americans.

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