In the past few months, the Republican Party has held four debates to showcase candidates running for the party’s presidential nomination. As the Republican primaries are steadily approaching, candidates are competing for the loyalty of the party’s base.

The first debate was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in August of 2023. Former President Donald Trump, although a major candidate for the Republican nomination, was not in attendance. 

Eight candidates attended the Milwaukee debate, including Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Former Vice President Mike Pence. The candidates that were in attendance discussed their positions on abortion, climate change, the economy, and Trump.

When asked about abortion, Haley discussed abortion rights, saying that she is pro-life, but also said that the issue had been left to “unelected justices” and suggested a more practical approach to the issue. DeSantis, on the other hand, said he was “going to stand on the side of life.” 

During last year’s campaigning, a newcomer, Vivek Ramaswamy, gained some momentum in the polls.. Because of his different background, in pharmaceuticals and investment banking, he was criticized by other candidates for not having enough experience. Throughout the Milwaukee debate, Ramaswamy clashed with candidates, mainly Pence and Former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, trying to defend his positions.

Pence and Christie criticized Ramaswamy for not having what it takes. “Now is not the time for on-the-job training,” Pence commented. “We don’t need to bring in a rookie. We don’t need to bring in people without experience.”

“I’m the only candidate on stage who isn’t bought and paid for, so I can say this, the climate change agenda is a hoax,” Ramaswamy said on climate change, often staking out radical positions throughout the event.

When asked if they would support Trump as the party’s nominee even if he was convicted of a crime, six out of the eight candidates raised their hands. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Christie were the only two who dissented. 

Since then, there have been three other debates, and Trump has yet to attend one of them. With each debate, less and less candidates have been in attendance. 

As of now, Pence, Hutchinson, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, have all dropped out of the race. 

The latest debate was held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with only four candidates present—Christie, DeSantis, Haley, and Ramaswamy. 

Christie criticized his opponents for being too timid to mention or condemn Trump. In his closing argument, Christie warned Republicans about the future of the presidency if Trump, the party’s front-runner, prevails.

“You’ll all be heading to the polls to vote and that’s something that Donald Trump will not be able to do, because he will be convicted of felonies before then and his right to vote will be taken away,” he said, as the crowd booed.

Despite not being in attendance, Trump still has a large lead in the polls, with DeSantis and Haley jockeying for a far second place.

The next debate will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 10, 2024. Sponsored by CNN, the network said that only three candidates had met polling requirements to be able to participate—DeSantis, Haley, and Trump. After that, the next two debates will be held in New Hampshire. These debates will test candidates and, as the Republican primaries approach—with the Iowa caucus on January 15 and the New Hampshire primary on January 23—will define the future of the party.