Republican candidates will begin facing off Monday in Iowa as caucusgoers and voters begin to decide which Republican candidate will face President Biden in November.
The Republican primary race has been underway for nearly a year and has included large-scale attacks as candidates competed to close the gap between themselves and former President Trump, who has maintained a commanding lead in the polls.
But despite Trump's front-runner status, he has not been the most attacked Republican candidate. Instead, the candidates fighting behind him have looked at each other, trying to shrink and distance themselves from his rivals.
BLIZZARD DETRAILS IOWA CAMPAIGN EVENTS, WILL BELOW-ZERO TEMPERATURES DEPRESS CAUCUS TURNOUT?
Former President Donald Trump, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy are vying for the Republican presidential nomination. (Getty Images)
The race has seen a lot of money invested in political maneuvers, including attack ads. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been the Republican candidate most under attack in that regard as voters begin to select the Republican presidential nominee.
According to filings with the Federal Election Commission, DeSantis has faced nearly $48 million in negative independent spending, including radio and television ads. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has been the second most targeted, with nearly $24 million in negative independent spending directed at her.
Haley and DeSantis, in particular, have relentlessly attacked each other as they try to solidify themselves as the alternative to Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump has faced $23 million in negative independent spending, filings show. President Biden has seen $21 million in such spending directed at him.
DESANTIS BETS BIG ON IOWA: WILL HE BE REWARDED?
Former President Trump has maintained a commanding lead in the polls. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
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Iowans will head to more than 1,600 caucus sites Monday night as they brave freezing temperatures below zero to cast their votes in the opening contest of the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 election campaign, exclusive interviews and more in our Fox News Digital Election Center.
Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
