The 2024 election cycle kicks off in one month with presidential nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. On Jan. 15, Iowa will hold its caucus, which has long marked the beginning of the presidential election season. And then the following week, New Hampshire will have the nation's first presidential primary on Jan. 23.
With President Biden running as an incumbent, the action in the early nominating states is largely on the Republican side. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are all vying to overtake GOP front-runner Donald Trump.
But even as the field of Republican candidates make frequent trips to the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, many of the events can feel like opening acts in comparison to the throngs of interest the former president receives.