this primary calendar means there won't be a verdict
But this primary calendar means there won't be a verdict in any of the multiple cases against Trump before the nominee is essentially decided. In total, Trump faces four scheduled criminal trials, including a criminal trial in Georgia that prosecutors have proposed to begin on Aug. 5 — just weeks after the July 15-18 Republican National Convention. As Trump maintains a commanding lead in polls over the Republican field so far, his opponents are going to need to gain momentum quickly in some of the earliest contests — Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Iowa votes on Jan. 15, just 44 days from now. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has gone all in on Iowa, and support has been growing for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley among voters in New Hampshire. The two states account for only about 3% of the total delegates, but candidates not named Trump need strong showings in them for the momentum they can provide — or else the campaign may be over quickly.