In a high-stakes showdown, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis engaged in a face-off on Wednesday night in Des Moines, Iowa, aiming to gain support and challenge the dominance of former President Donald Trump ahead of Monday's Iowa caucus, the country's first state primary election.

Bucking the tradition of participating in debates, Trump once again declined to join his party's opponents, choosing instead to take part in a town hall hosted by Fox News, also in Iowa.

Unlike previous debates, this particular one was not organized by the Republican National Committee (RNC). In December, the RNC made the decision to halt hosting GOP debates for the remainder of the primary season.

The RNC debates had previously narrowed down the field of Republican contenders to just five individuals. The CNN-hosted debate required candidates to poll at least 10% in three national or Iowa-based surveys, resulting in only Haley, DeSantis, and Trump meeting the qualification criteria. Chris Christie, who has been one of Trump's most vocal critics among the Republican contenders, did not make the cut but is anticipated to qualify in New Hampshire.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a right-wing tech entrepreneur who has positioned himself as a youthful alternative to Trump, failed to meet the debate requirements. Ramaswamy, who has spent significant time campaigning in Iowa, has opted to participate in a podcast recording with right-wing commentator Tim Pool in Des Moines instead.

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has focused campaign resources on Iowa, making visits to each of the state's 99 counties in preparation for the caucuses.

"I believe going through this process will make me a better president," acknowledged DeSantis wearily during a press conference in Iowa.

Meanwhile, Nikki Haley received the endorsement of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative advocacy group backed by the prominent Koch network. This endorsement could potentially provide a boost to Haley's campaign in Iowa, with the organization committing to canvassing for her daily leading up to the January 15th caucuses.

However, if DeSantis and Haley continue to vie competitively for support, it is likely for the second-place position. Recent polls indicate that Trump maintains a commanding lead in Iowa, despite investing fewer resources into the early primary compared to his rivals.

Failure by DeSantis to sway Iowa voters away from Trump's support could jeopardize his campaign, which has faced setbacks from gaffes and staff changes, potentially leading to its closure before the next primary.

Overall, the Haley-DeSantis debate in Iowa adds another intriguing chapter to the unfolding Republican primary race, with all eyes on whether their efforts can make a dent in Trump's solid standing among voters.