At the first GOP presidential debate, Nikki Haley took a shot at former President Donald Trump and other Republicans for their voting records, which was welcomed by President Joe Biden. GOP strategist Matt Mowers noted that none of the seven other candidates onstage felt the need to attack DeSantis, who had been a co-front-runner in the race just months ago. DeSantis’s performance was likely a factor in his falling from the co-front-runner position in the race, setting the tone for the rest of the race.