CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM-DES MOINES, Iowa- Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are in a dead heat at the Iowa Democratic Caucuses, which were held Monday in Des Moines, Iowa, and GOP presidential candidate Texas Sen.Ted Cruz stunned pundits and beat Donald Trump in Iowa, and the long line of presidential hopefuls seeking the Republican nomination for president.

Clinton and Sanders were virtually tied throughout the night.

With 95 percent of the vote counted Clinton had  49.8 percent, and Sanders, 49.6 percent, giving Clinton a fraction of a lead by two tenths of one percent.

At midnight, no winner between the two leading Democrats had been determined, though Clinton had 22 delegates, and Sanders, 21.

Former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley got only one percent and has suspended his campaign for the Democratic nomination.

(Editor's' note: The Clinton campaign has since declared victory. Iowa election officials, on Tuesday, confirmed her win, and the tightest race in the state's history).

Clinton said that she is a "progressive who gets things done for people."

The former first lady and prior secretary of state said that the status quo is not enough, and ended her speech, saying let's go win the nomination, and "thank you all and God bless you."

Sanders, who last month was more than 40 points behind Clinton in Iowa, was the last of the presidential candidates from both parties in the top tier to speak, and took to the stage with his wife Jane by his side while supporters chanted "feel the Bern."

Sanders said that nine months ago he came to Iowa with no political organization, and no money.

"While the votes are not complete, it looks like we will have half of the Iowa delegates," said Sanders. "The people of Iowa have sent a very profound message."

He said that given the crisis in America, it is too late for establishment economics and establishment politics, and that Americans must fight to protect the philosophy of one person one vote, and not billionaires.

It remains to be seen whether Sanders can keep up the momentum in southern states like South Carolina that is 63 percent White and 27 percent Black,  unlike Iowa, which is 91 percent White and three percent Black.

Sanders is favored for New Hampshire, also a White state like Iowa, and Clinton is expected to win over Sanders in South Carolina and Nevada, and on Super Tuesday.

But California is the state that could bring another close race between the pair, political pundits have said.

For the Republicans, Cruz finished with 46,407 votes or 28 percent followed by  24 percent for Trump, 23.9 percent for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and nine percent for retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, the only Black in the race.

Rubio's third place finish makes him a contender, no doubt, and he gave a moving speech, highlighting his  humble beginnings and rise as a child from a working class family to the U.S. Senate.

In spite of an endorsement for the New York Times, Ohio Gov John Kasich finished seventh, and with only two percent of the vote.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee came in ninth place out of 11 Republican presidential hopefuls, and announced that he is suspending his campaign.

A freshman senator in Congress and a devout evangelical, Cruz was not favored several months ago to win in Iowa, but his conservative political platform and aggressive campaigning brought him a victory yesterday.

"God bless the great state of Iowa," said Cruz during his victory speech. "Tonight is a victory for the grassroots."

Cruz said that Iowans sent a message in making him the GOP winner Monday night and that the next Republican nominee will not be chosen by the media, the lobbyists, or the Washington establishment.

Trump , who lost to Cruz by 6, 232 votes, was diplomatic, a departure from is customary divisive rhetoric that has strained relations with GOP insiders.

• February 1: Iowa caucus (both parties)
• February 9: New Hampshire primary (both parties)
• February 20: Nevada Democratic caucuses and South Carolina Republican primary
• February 23: Nevada Republican caucuses
• February 27: South Carolina Democratic primary
• March 1: Super Tuesday: Primaries/caucuses for both parties in several states (Note: several primaries and caucuses follow)