The Republican presidential race is well underway, with former President Donald Trump currently leading the pack in polls. Despite facing two indictments and ongoing investigations, Trump has maintained a significant lead over his challengers. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other candidates are now scrambling to close the gap and gain support.
DeSantis and his allies are emphasizing that only he and Trump have the necessary resources and support to secure the GOP nomination. They also argue that DeSantis would be a stronger candidate in the general election against President Joe Biden due to Trump's difficulties with independent voters.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is currently in third place in many polls, is highlighting the conservative aspects of the Trump-Pence administration while drawing distinctions on issues such as Ukraine and entitlement programs. Pence has also criticized Trump for pressuring him to overturn the electoral votes that elected Biden.
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, a first-time candidate, is hoping to catch a wave of buzz as an outsider. He has expressed support for Trump and suggested that he would pardon the former president. Ramaswamy has received compliments from Trump himself, who predicts that he may overtake DeSantis for second place.
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is positioning herself as the leader of a "new generation" of Republicans and portraying Trump as a figure of the past. Haley, the only woman in the race, is polling at less than 5% but hopes to survive until the South Carolina primary.
U.S. Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, is also trying to appeal to minority voters and position himself as a candidate of the future. Like Haley, Scott is polling low and aiming to make it to the South Carolina primary.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is taking a different approach by directly attacking Trump. Christie has criticized Trump's handling of classified documents and called him a "liar and a coward." Christie is focusing on New Hampshire, where he hopes to gain momentum.
The candidates are banking on debates to help them catch up to Trump, although there is no guarantee that he will attend. Trump has suggested that he may skip the first debate, scheduled for August 23 in Milwaukee, to avoid giving his rivals an opportunity to challenge him.
Overall, the Republican presidential race is still in its early stages, with Trump maintaining a significant lead. The challengers are working hard to gain support and distinguish themselves from the former president. The upcoming debates could prove pivotal in their efforts to catch up to Trump.