5 Takeaways From DeSantis, Haley Town Halls

Appearing back-to-back, both candidates handled themselves well, made strong policy statements, and leveled withering criticism at President Donald Trump.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (L) and former and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley during the fourth Republican presidential primary debate at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Dec. 6, 2023, Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

DES MOINES, Iowa—Presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley fielded questions from voters 11 days before the Iowa caucus, appearing consecutively on the same stage in a town hall meeting on Jan. 4.

The televised event represented a narrowing of the Republican field, though the clear frontrunner for the nomination, former President Donald Trump, was not in attendance.