Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s campaign looked past Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Wednesday’s GOP debate to identify former President Donald Trump as Ms. Haley’s only competition.
“I wish Donald Trump was on the stage with us now,” the campaign wrote on X at the start of the GOP debate in Iowa. “He’s the one I’m running against.”
Mr. Trump is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in Iowa, but Ms. Haley is nipping at his heels in one New Hampshire poll that showed her within a single digit of catching the former president.
Ms. Haley and Mr. DeSantis were the only candidates to participate in the GOP debate hosted by CNN Wednesday night. Former President Donald Trump qualified but did not show up, opting instead for a town hall hosted by Fox News, also in Iowa.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.