DeSantis Campaign Press Release - Iowa Grassroots Conservative Leaders Slam Nikki Haley for Refusing to Participate in January Debate at Drake University

Des Moines, IA - Iowa leaders are slamming Nikki Haley for her refusal to participate in what would likely be a one-on-one debate with Ron DeSantis on January 10, 2024, at Drake University in Des Moines. This is the only scheduled debate in Iowa ahead of Caucus Night.

"Nikki Haley's refusal to debate is an insult to Iowans who expect and deserve presidential candidates to show up, participate in the process, debate the issues, and articulate their vision. I call on Nikki Haley to accept the only invitation candidates have to debate in Iowa before the caucus." - Ryan Frederick, Adair County GOP Chair

"Iowa has a unique opportunity to host a nationally televised debate and provide a platform for Iowans to hear directly from two leading candidates just before Caucus Night, and Nikki Haley is apparently intent upon robbing Iowa of that opportunity. We deserve a leader who will show up for us, so I call on Nikki Haley to show up on the debate stage at Drake University on January 10, 2023." – Former Iowa State Senator and Drake University alum (1973) Tom Greene

"It's a mystery as to why Nikki Haley would not take the only opportunity available to share her vision with Iowans days before the caucus. Regardless, our state deserves this unique opportunity to host a nationally televised debate and voters deserve it, too. Nikki Haley should debate on January 10. Her current refusal participate is hypocritical from her past statements and is a disservice to Iowans." - **Former Republican Party of Iowa Co-Chair Cody Hoefert **

Haley's refusal to participate puts the Iowa debate in jeopardy, as current polling thresholds disqualify candidates other than Ron DeSantis, who has already committed to debate, and Donald Trump, who has not participated in any debate so far this campaign.