Hitting Donald Trump, taking on culture wars: What to expect from Nikki Haley in Iowa debate

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will face off against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Wednesday in a primary debate just days before the Iowa Caucuses, as the pair battle for the runner-up spot behind former President Donald Trump.

The debate marks the final opportunity for the candidates to differentiate themselves onstage before the first Americans vote in the 2024 presidential election. And the one-on-one match provides a unique opportunity for each White House hopeful to build momentum heading into the caucuses.

Haley’s past debate performances, in particular, have been credited with propelling her rise in the GOP race. And DeSantis, who was once thought to be Republicans' likely alternative to Trump, may now be at risk of being overshadowed by Haley in a state where he has staked much of his campaign.

The two governors are currently neck-and-neck in the Hawkeye State, with Haley leading DeSantis by just one percentage point in a Morning Consult survey conducted between Dec. 1 and Jan. 7.

For Haley, the debate will likely center around an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset, Matthew Bartlett, a GOP strategist not affiliated with a campaign, told USA TODAY.