Republican candidates will begin face-offs in Iowa starting Monday as caucusgoers and voters begin deciding which Republican nominee will run against President Biden this November.
The Republican primary elections have been going on for about a year, and large-scale attacks have been carried out as each candidate struggles to close the gap with former President Trump, who maintains an overwhelming lead in opinion polls. It is being said.
But despite being the front-runner, Trump is not the most targeted Republican candidate. Instead, the candidates fighting behind him are zeroing in on each other and trying to distance themselves from the challengers.
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Former President Donald Trump, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are vying for the Republican presidential nomination. (Getty Images)
Huge sums of money have been spent on political maneuvering, including attack ads, in this election. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has become the most targeted Republican candidate in this regard as voters begin to choose their presidential nominee.
DeSantis faces a nearly $48 million deficit in independent spending, including TV and radio ads, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Her second most targeted target is former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, with about $24 million in negative independent spending directed at her.
Ms. Haley and Ms. DeSantis, in particular, have relentlessly targeted each other in an effort to solidify their positions as Mr. Trump's alternative candidates.
Meanwhile, President Trump faces a $23 million deficit in independent spending, filings show. President Biden estimates he has $21 million in such spending aimed at him.
DeSantis is betting big on Iowa – will it pay off?
Former President Trump maintains an overwhelming lead in opinion polls. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
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Iowans brave freezing temperatures to head to more than 1,600 caucus sites Monday night to cast their votes in the race for the lead in the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub..
Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
