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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

AP PHOTOS: The 2016 race heats up ahead of the Iowa caucuses

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump laughs as Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum jokes about not being photographed in front of a Trump podium sign at a event in support of veterans at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump laughs as Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum jokes about not being photographed in front of a Trump podium sign at a event in support of veterans at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump laughs as Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum jokes about not being photographed in front of a Trump podium sign at a event in support of veterans at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

WASHINGTON (AP) – Billionaire businessman Donald Trump opted to host his own rally Thursday at the exact same time that his GOP presidential rivals fought to present their closing arguments to the people of Iowa ahead of Monday’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.

White House hopefuls went on the offensive this week, on the campaign trail and in political ads, fighting over undecided voters in an increasingly narrowing race.

The increasingly tight Democratic race heated up, meanwhile, as Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders attacked each other on issues ranging from gun control to healthcare.

A collection of photos by Associated Press photographers following the various candidates on the campaign trail.