In a political landscape dominated by former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley are vying for the position of the strongest alternative. However, their focus on each other rather than the frontrunner has left some Republican voters frustrated.
At a recent town hall, Iowa voter Chris Garcia questioned DeSantis on his approach towards Trump. Garcia, who plans to caucus for DeSantis, expressed his dissatisfaction with the governor’s reluctance to confront Trump more aggressively. Despite DeSantis’ insistence that he has made efforts to highlight his differences with Trump without resorting to personal attacks, Garcia remains unconvinced.
The ongoing rivalry between DeSantis and Haley has seen millions of dollars spent on TV attack ads, with the majority of the funds targeting each other rather than Trump. According to a CNN analysis of AdImpact data, DeSantis and his supporting super PACs spent $7.6 million targeting Haley in Iowa alone last year, compared to less than $500,000 aimed at Trump. Haley and her leading super PAC, on the other hand, spent nearly $10 million targeting DeSantis, with only $1.5 million directed at Trump.
Bob Vander Plaats, chairman of the Iowa Family Leader, an influential organization among evangelicals, echoed Garcia’s sentiments. “You see all the money that has been spent against Gov. DeSantis or against Gov. Haley, but how much of that money is being spent against Trump?” he asked. “That is what the people are really asking.”
As the Iowa race draws to a close, the financial fortunes of DeSantis and Haley have shifted. While DeSantis and his allies have long held a fundraising advantage, Haley’s campaign recently announced that it raised $24 million in the final quarter of last year, putting her on robust financial footing.
Despite the intense rivalry, some Republicans believe that both DeSantis and Haley represent a strong future for the party. Doug Stout, a longtime Republican activist, expressed his disappointment at the current state of the race. “They’re not fighting for second. They’re fighting for president,” he said.
DeSantis, who has staked his political future on Iowa, faces pressure to differentiate himself from Trump. Despite falling behind on spending, he remains confident in his campaign’s ground game and the support of his precinct captains.
Meanwhile, Haley’s campaign and supporting super PAC have spent a combined total of $34.7 million in Iowa, outspending DeSantis and his supporting super PACs by nearly $9 million.
As the race continues, it remains to be seen whether DeSantis or Haley will emerge as the strongest alternative to Trump, or whether their focus on each other will continue to leave the former president unscathed.
Contributor: David Wright, CNN