As the Iowa caucuses draw nearer, the diminishing number of 2024 GOP primary candidates has sparked speculation about the race's future. The recent announcement by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) suspending his campaign adds to the dwindling field, making the contest increasingly appear to be a showdown between former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Here are some of the key questions that arise from this winnowing GOP field.

One major question on everyone's minds is whether Haley's surging momentum, especially after three impressive debate performances, will be sufficient to surpass DeSantis in the 2024 primary. DeSantis was initially seen as the main challenger to former President Trump, but challenges such as staff layoffs and leadership changes, coupled with his inability to close the gap against Trump during the race, have raised doubts about his viability.

According to RealClearPolitics (RCP) polling averages, DeSantis currently ranks second to Trump in Iowa, with Haley in third place. However, in New Hampshire and South Carolina, Haley secures second place with DeSantis trailing behind.

A recent NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom survey revealed that DeSantis and Haley were tied for second place in Iowa, behind Trump. Both campaigns are now vying to prove their ability to attract enthusiastic donors, with DeSantis and Haley each raising more than $1 million within 24 hours after the third GOP debate.

Political observers are eagerly watching to see who will emerge as the most formidable alternative to Trump. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has centered his campaign around criticizing Trump but has struggled to resonate with the GOP electorate aligned with the former president. Christie currently ranks fourth in New Hampshire, significantly trailing Trump, who maintains a strong lead at 46.5 percent.

Moreover, it remains to be seen whether Christie will qualify for the upcoming debate in Alabama. If not, he may consider bowing out to consolidate support around a more viable Trump opponent.

Despite initial signs of renewed interest in Scott's campaign, particularly as DeSantis faced challenges in narrowing the gap with Trump, that interest did not translate into sufficient support for his candidacy. Scott's positive and optimistic messaging failed to generate significant attention amid the more negative tone prevailing among some GOP voters.

Similarly, Vivek Ramaswamy, who launched his campaign as a little-known GOP contender, has struggled to gain traction against Trump, Haley, and DeSantis in early state polling. His foreign policy positions have made him vulnerable to attacks from his competitors, and his debate performances have faced criticism, particularly regarding his comments about Haley's daughter on TikTok.

While signs are pointing to Trump becoming the 2024 GOP presidential nominee, speculations persist about a potential surprise victory for one of the other candidates, such as DeSantis or Haley, in early voting states like Iowa or New Hampshire.

Analysts Doug Heye and Ron Bonjean agree that Trump currently holds a strong position as the party's candidate heading into the upcoming election. However, with the Iowa caucuses just two months away, donors must now make a decision regarding whether to support DeSantis or Haley before time runs out.

As the race to beat Trump intensifies, the candidates remaining in the GOP field face mounting pressure to distinguish themselves and gain traction among Republican voters. The next few months will undoubtedly be crucial in determining the path of the 2024 primary and the future of the Republican Party.