Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis accused former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley of being more liberal than California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) during Wednesday’s Republican presidential primary debate in Iowa.
“I debated the governor of California, Gavin Newsom,” DeSantis said near the beginning of the CNN debate in Des Moines. “I thought he lied a lot. Man, Nikki Haley gives him a run for his money, and she may even be more liberal than Gavin Newsom is.”
DeSantis was responding to whether he believed former President Trump has the character to be president.
“As Republicans, you need someone who is going to be in there and fight for you,” he continued. “Anytime the going gets tough, anytime people come down, she caves.”
The exchange was just one of many barbs traded between Haley and DeSantis within the first 15 minutes of the debate.
The Wednesday night clash is the first head-to-head battle between Haley and DeSantis, who are the main rivals to Trump for the GOP presidential nomination. Both trail Trump significantly, though Haley has moved closer to the former president in New Hampshire.
DeSantis is seeking a solid result in next week’s Iowa caucuses, which are crucial to his campaign. He’s hoping for a significant win over Haley in Iowa.
In his opening remarks, DeSantis referred to Haley as a “mealy-mouthed politician,” while Haley warned Drake University students not to turn the debate into a drinking game every time DeSantis lies because they “will be overserved.”
The rivalry between Haley and DeSantis has been dubbed “the race for second place,” given Trump’s dominance in state- and national-level polls.
Trump participated in a Fox News town hall in Des Moines during the CNN debate Wednesday.