--- title: Iowa Caucus: Ben Carson Going Home Before New Hampshire description: He says it's just to "get some fresh clothes" canonical: https://time.com/4203578/iowa-caucus-2016-ben-carson/ author: Charlotte Alter article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-02-02T01:40:51.000Z article:modified_time: 2023-12-13T19:20:18.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: Ben Carson Plays Down Report That He's Going Home After Iowa og:description: He says it's just to "get some fresh clothes" og:url: https://time.com/4203578/iowa-caucus-2016-ben-carson/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6b2c2333f7eac2ab/69887ba9bc6cfcba663db895/timepol-iowa-keyssar-ben-carson-01.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TIMEPOL Ben Carson og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Ben Carson Plays Down Report That He's Going Home After Iowa twitter:description: He says it's just to "get some fresh clothes" twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6b2c2333f7eac2ab/69887ba9bc6cfcba663db895/timepol-iowa-keyssar-ben-carson-01.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Ben Carson Plays Down Report That He's Going Home After Iowa by [Charlotte Alter](https://time.com/author/charlotte-alter/) and [Tessa Berenson](https://time.com/author/tessa-berenson/) Updated: Dec 13, 2023 7:20 PM UTCPublished: Feb 2, 2016 1:40 AM UTC  Ben Carson speaks to supporters in Iowa City, Iowa on Jan. 29, 2016. Ben Carson speaks to supporters in Iowa City, Iowa on Jan. 29, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME by [Charlotte Alter](https://time.com/author/charlotte-alter/) and [Tessa Berenson](https://time.com/author/tessa-berenson/) Updated: Dec 13, 2023 7:20 PM UTCPublished: Feb 2, 2016 1:40 AM UTC Ben Carson’s campaign pushed back against speculation Monday night that his decision to go home to Florida immediately following [the Iowa caucuses](http://time.com/4203203/iowa-caucus-results-2016-donald-trump-ted-cruz-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders/?xid=homepage) reflects any scaling down of his flagging campaign. “I’m going home to get some fresh clothes,” Carson told reporters in Iowa. Carson said he would quickly go back to Florida to get new clothes, before heading to Washington, D.C., for the National Prayer Breakfast, where his 2013 keynote speech helped launch him onto the national stage. He is due to arrive in New Hampshire by Friday.  Iowa Caucus results 2016 Many other candidates are expected to go straight to New Hampshire after the caucuses. But political observers were quick to note Carson’s decision on social media, after it was first noted by CNN’s Chris Moody. > [](https://twitter.com/moody/status/694319707415969792) > [](https://twitter.com/moody/status/694320149432651776) Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King, who has endorsed Ted Cruz, said it cast Carson’s continuing competitiveness in the race into question. > [](https://twitter.com/SteveKingIA/status/694329188862431233) Carson, who once led the polls in Iowa only to see his campaign founder amid questions about his grasp of foreign policy and campaign infighting, dismissed it as a non-story: “Sabotage never stops.” “Contrary to false media reports, Dr. Ben Carson is not suspending his presidential campaign, which is stronger than ever,” the campaign said in a statement later. “After spending 18 consecutive days on the campaign trail, Dr. Carson needs to go home and get a fresh set of clothes. He will be departing Des Moines later tonight to avoid the snow storm and will be back on the trail Wednesday. We look forward to tonight’s caucus results and to meaningful debates in New Hampshire and South Carolina.” _\-With reporting by Tessa Berenson in Urbandale, Iowa_ ### See Pictures From a Week of Campaigning in Iowa  Ted Cruz greets supporters at his rally in Des Moines, Iowa on Jan. 31, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Rubio walks off his bus towards the pub. Marco Rubio spoke to supporters at a campaign rally at the Wellman's Pub and Rooftop in Des Moines Iowa on Wednesday evening, January 27th 2016\. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME) Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Hillary Clinton campaigns with Bill Clinton in Davenport, Iowa, on Jan. 29, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Bernie Sanders addressed students at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines Iowa on Thursday morning, January 28th 2016\. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME) Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally and concert in Iowa City, Iowa on Jan. 30, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Donald Trump held a benefit rally/campaign rally for the Wounded Warriors, a charity organization for Veterans, at Drake University in Des Moines Iowa on Thursday morning, January 28th 2016\. The event was timed to coincide with the Republican debates on Fox which he declined to attend. His event was attended by supporters, veterans and donors, as well as fellow candidates Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME) Natalie Keyssar for TIME  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to supporters at a campaign town hall in Pella, Iowa, on Jan. 29. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Ben Carson speaks to supporters in Iowa City, Iowa, on Jan. 29. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet, campaign at the Crossroads shooting range in Johnston, Iowa on Jan. 30, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Martin O'Malley walks during a canvas launch at a supporter's home in Johnston, Iowa on Jan. 31. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally in Davenport, Iowa, on Jan. 29, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio appeared at a caucus event with his family on Feb. 1, 2016, at the 7 Flags Event Center in Clive, Iowa. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Donald Trump greets supporters at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 26, 2016. 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