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Iowa Republican Caucus 2024: Who are the main candidates? New Hampshire Republican primary: Who are the main candidates?
(8 days later)
After months of campaigning, the list of Republican candidates for president has been whittled down to just four competitors. Donald Trump, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis face off in New Hampshire
After months of campaigning, the list of Republican candidates for president has been whittled down to just three competitors.
The last two to drop out of the race were billionaire tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, after a poor showing in Iowa.
But with one candidate, Donald Trump, completely dominating the field, does anyone else stand a chance?But with one candidate, Donald Trump, completely dominating the field, does anyone else stand a chance?
The eventual winner will challenge the presumptive Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden, in November's general election.The eventual winner will challenge the presumptive Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden, in November's general election.
Let's look at the main candidates, what they stand for and what they are doing ahead of the Iowa caucuses taking place on 15 January. Let's look at the main candidates, what they stand for and what they are doing ahead of the New Hampshire primary on 23 January.
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
Donald Trump is sitting in the driver's seat for the final stretch before the caucuses - exactly where he has spent most of the past year.Donald Trump is sitting in the driver's seat for the final stretch before the caucuses - exactly where he has spent most of the past year.
Despite a turbulent four years in the White House, the 77-year-old has an iron-clad grip of much of the party base as well as a commanding lead in national polls. His closest challenger, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, trails by more than 30 points in recent polls. Despite a turbulent four years in the White House, the 77-year-old has an iron-clad grip of much of the party base as well as a commanding lead in national polls. His closest challenger, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, lost by 30 points in Iowa's first in the nation caucuses.
If he can translate that lead into success in Iowa, he will be well-positioned to deliver an early knock-out blow to the rest of the field. If he can carry that lead into further success in New Hampshire, he will be well-positioned to send one of the other two candidates packing, although neither Mr DeSantis or Ms Haley have shown any signs of quitting.
Mr Trump has vowed to finish what he started if he is returned to the White House, including undoing the Affordable Care Act and expanding his southern border wall.Mr Trump has vowed to finish what he started if he is returned to the White House, including undoing the Affordable Care Act and expanding his southern border wall.
But his rhetoric has frequently caused concern on the campaign trail. He has also consistently repeated false claims that he won the 2020 election and accused Mr Biden of leading a "witch hunt" against him.But his rhetoric has frequently caused concern on the campaign trail. He has also consistently repeated false claims that he won the 2020 election and accused Mr Biden of leading a "witch hunt" against him.
Mr Trump has made clear how he will attempt to use his legal woes to his advantage, turning courthouse steps and hallways into political stumps. Since the primary season began, he has made multiple stops to courtrooms in New York, verbally jousting with judges in cases against him, calling them "Trump-hating judges" and "biased".
Ron DeSantisRon DeSantis
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was once viewed as the candidate most capable of defeating Mr Trump, but he has since faded. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was once viewed as the candidate most capable of defeating Mr Trump, but has since faded.
In Iowa, he narrowly grabbed second place, receiving 2% more votes than Ms Haley, although he arguably campaigned the most among his Republican competitors in the Hawkeye State.
US media headlines are now describing his campaign as "in survival mode" after his disappointing Iowa performance.
Mr DeSantis has mostly looked past New Hampshire, where Ms Haley is beating Mr Trump in some polls, and focused his gaze on South Carolina.
Serving two terms as a little-known member of the House of Representatives, the former naval officer was boosted to the governorship by Mr Trump's endorsement in 2018. There, he has backed a range of conservative legislation that has included restricting abortions and loosening gun laws.Serving two terms as a little-known member of the House of Representatives, the former naval officer was boosted to the governorship by Mr Trump's endorsement in 2018. There, he has backed a range of conservative legislation that has included restricting abortions and loosening gun laws.
After romping to re-election last year by more than 1.5 million votes, the largest margin in the state in more than 40 years, he was touted as the man to carry forward Mr Trump's "America First" movement.After romping to re-election last year by more than 1.5 million votes, the largest margin in the state in more than 40 years, he was touted as the man to carry forward Mr Trump's "America First" movement.
Six ways it's harder for Trump this time
WATCH: Five things to know about Ron DeSantis
But an awkward personal brand, campaign trail flubs, financial woes and an onslaught from the Trump camp have hurt his once-promising bid.But an awkward personal brand, campaign trail flubs, financial woes and an onslaught from the Trump camp have hurt his once-promising bid.
Now Mr DeSantis is staking his entire political fortune on Iowa. He has invested heavily in grassroots organising and nabbed endorsements from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats. Without a strong second-place showing, at least, his campaign may totally collapse.
Nikki HaleyNikki Haley
Nikki Haley was the first major Republican candidate to launch a campaign against Mr Trump, jumping in last February.Nikki Haley was the first major Republican candidate to launch a campaign against Mr Trump, jumping in last February.
Born in South Carolina to Punjabi Sikh immigrants, Ms Haley, 51, became the youngest governor in the country in 2009. She earned national attention by calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina capitol. Born in South Carolina to Punjabi Sikh immigrants, Ms Haley, 51, became the youngest governor in the country in 2009. She earned national attention by calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina capitol after a man shot and killed nine people in a hate crime at a historically black church.
Despite saying she was "not a fan" of Mr Trump in 2016, she later accepted his nomination to be US ambassador to the United Nations, a tenure marked by her dramatic exit from a security council meeting while a Palestinian envoy spoke.Despite saying she was "not a fan" of Mr Trump in 2016, she later accepted his nomination to be US ambassador to the United Nations, a tenure marked by her dramatic exit from a security council meeting while a Palestinian envoy spoke.
Meet the trailblazer who's challenging Trump in 2024 At events and debates, the race's lone woman has sought to find middle ground on hot-button issues and demonstrate her foreign policy expertise. She has also called for a "new generation" of leaders and for mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old.
At events and debates, the race's lone woman has sought to find middle ground on hot-button issues and demonstrate her foreign policy expertise. She has also called for a "new generation" of leaders and for mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old, Her performance, along with an endorsement from conservative powerhouse Charles Koch, has pushed her poll numbers up since the first debate in August. She came close to second place in Iowa and polls show she has a chance at winning in New Hampshire, where independents can vote in the Republican primary.
Her performance, along with an endorsement from conservative powerhouse Charles Koch, has pushed her poll numbers up since the first debate in August. She is now closing the gap with Mr DeSantis in Iowa. A few recent slips on the campaign trail have pushed Ms Haley's team more into the defence. In the last few weeks she has had to defend her comment that slavery was not the cause of the US Civil War. And in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper she had to explain recent on-air statements that the US was "never a racist country".
Her path to winning the nomination relies on being competitive in Iowa and then pulling off a surprise in New Hampshire, where independents can vote in the Republican primary.
Vivek Ramaswamy
Vivek Ramaswamy, 37, launched his dark-horse bid during a late February appearance on the Fox News channel.
An Indian-American biotech entrepreneur with no previous political experience, he was a regular fixture on Fox host Tucker Carlson's daily programme.
Mr Ramaswamy argues the country is in the midst of an identity crisis driven by declines in faith, patriotism and meritocracy. He recently drew controversy by plunging into a host of conspiracy theories during the final Republican debate.
Eight things presidential candidate Ramaswamy believes
The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president
He has also positioned himself as a fervent defender of Mr Trump, even vowing that, if elected, he would pardon the ex-president of any crimes.
Mr Ramaswamy was the summer's pop hit with both the media and conservatives, but his star has since faded. He'll need better than a fourth-place showing in Iowa to prove he is not a one-hit wonder.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Republican PartyRepublican Party
US election 2024US election 2024
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
Mike PenceMike Pence
United StatesUnited States
Ron DeSantisRon DeSantis