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As the 2024 Republican race hots up following the exit of Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is determined to stay in the competition despite finishing second to former President Donald Trump in the Iowa caucuses.

While narrowly surpassing former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, DeSantis faces challenges as he trails both Trump and Haley in the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries.

DeSantis’s campaign aims to outlast Haley, shaping the race into a two-person competition against Trump. Despite projections not painting a rosy picture for him and concerns about fundraising, DeSantis remains optimistic. Some fundraisers have expressed concerns about new funds flowing to Haley.

While campaigning in South Carolina and New Hampshire, DeSantis questioned Haley’s effectiveness, and dismissed her chances in New Hampshire. He emphasised his commitment to engaging with voters, highlighting differences in debate performance.

Haley, on the other hand, ignored DeSantis and focused her speech on differences with Trump. After the Iowa caucuses, she refused to participate in the next debate unless Trump joined, leaving DeSantis as the sole committed candidate.

“We’ve had five great debates in this campaign,” Haley said as she campaigned in New Hampshire. “Unfortunately, Donald Trump has ducked all of them. He has nowhere left to hide. The next debate I have will either be with Donald Trump or with Joe Biden. I look forward to it,” she said.

DeSantis exuded confidence in competing in South Carolina, Haley’s home state. He challenged Haley’s viability if she can’t secure a win in her home state.

On X, DeSantis said, “Haley is afraid to debate because she doesn’t want to answer the tough questions.”

He accused her of “running to be Trump’s VP” and said that he looked “forward to debating two empty podiums in the Granite State this week.”

In a previous debate, DeSantis accused Haley of avoiding tough questions, labelling her as potentially running to be Trump’s VP. Trump’s spokesperson had also criticised Haley as a “desperate globalist”.

As the narrative unfolds, DeSantis’s commitment and strategy will shape the GOP race’s dynamics. Supporters and voters eagerly await developments in this evolving political drama, with DeSantis navigating the complexities of the presidential campaign.