Nikki Haley emerges from TV debate as Trump’s nearest rival as Iowa vote looms

Former South Carolina governor, boosted by Chris Christie's exit, has hopes of seizing second in Iowa caucuses from Ron DeSantis

Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley emerged from the last televised debate before the Iowa caucuses clearly Donald Trump's strongest challenger for the Republican presidential nomination, boosted by the withdrawal of Chris Christie, the only explicitly anti-Trump candidate to register significantly with voters.

Voting begins in Iowa on Monday, before New Hampshire stages its primary a week on Tuesday. Haley has closed on Trump in New Hampshire and has hopes of seizing second place in Iowa at the expense of the rightwing Florida governor Ron DeSantis.