The last Republican primary debate of 2023 will be held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama as the candidates compete for votes ahead of the Iowa caucuses on January 15. Only four candidates will take part in the debate: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (pictured right), former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (left), businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Former United States President and GOP presidential race frontrunner Donald Trump will skip the event and instead attend a fundraiser in Florida.
Ahead of the debate, DeSantis told NBC News he will win the Iowa caucuses and dismissed the possibility of ending his campaign amid significant recent turmoil. Haley, recently endorsed by billionaire Charles Koch, is planning a $10 million advertising push in December in hopes of overtaking DeSantis. Meanwhile, Ramaswami vowed to be "brutally frank" after clashing with Haley in the previous debate, while Christie confirmed he will stay in the running despite his flagging poll numbers. The latest poll by debate host NewsNation and Decision Desk HQ showed that 11% of Republican voters would vote for DeSantis, while 10% would pick Haley. Ramaswamy stood at 6%, Christie at 3%, while Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson got less than 1%. However, it is unlikely that anyone can dethrone Trump, who enjoys 60% support among Republican voters and 21% among independents.
