Haley commits to CNN Iowa debate

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley announced Friday that she’ll take part in the CNN presidential debate slated for next month in Iowa, just days before the state’s GOP caucus kicks off the presidential nominating cycle.

“The first four debates have been great for our campaign and for voters, and we look forward to the fifth in Iowa,” Haley said in a statement. 

The former U.N. ambassador also called on former President Trump, who has skipped the four debates held so far, to take part in the debate.

“As the debate stage continues to shrink, it’s getting harder for Donald Trump to hide,” Haley said. 

Trump, the GOP front-runner for the nomination, has cited his significant lead over his competitors as a reason for not participating — and they’ve taken jabs at his absence during the events.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also said he plans to take part in the Iowa program. Other candidates haven’t directly confirmed they’ll participate in the Hawkeye State event, which also requires them to clear a high polling threshold. 

The Republican National Committee recently released candidates from a requirement that they participate only in party-sanctioned debates. That change cleared the way for television networks CNN and ABC to announce a combined three debates in January, each just days before the critical nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

CNN will host its Jan. 10 debate in Iowa five days before the caucus, and announced plans for another in New Hampshire on Jan. 21, just before the Jan. 23 primary. ABC is planning a Jan. 18 debate in the Granite State.