Democratic debate: Six candidates face off in Iowa's capital city Des Moines

Six Democratic hopefuls are sharing a platform for the principal discussion of the new year and the last before the much-awaited Iowa caucuses.

The discussion on the grounds of Drake University highlights four of the six competitors driving the enormous presidential pack: Ex-Vice President Joe Biden; 32nd Mayor of South Bend Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg; and Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Also read: US President Donald Trump's impeachment — What happens next

The first choosing challenge of the essential, the Iowa caucuses, will happen over the state only half a month later on February 3.

For the US President, Wisconsin is a crucial state. Traditionally, the state has gone to the Democrats.But in 2016, Trump carried Wisconsin by fewer than 23,000 votes.

But the democrats feel they can reclaim the state in 2020. Which is why Trump is scheduled to make frequent visits to Wisconsin in the coming months.

There were a couple of protests outside the University of Wisconsin where Trump is holding his rally.

He aimed at the Democrats saying they were impeaching him for giving America its greatest ever economy.

Over in Iowa, 6 democrats are vying to challenge trump later this year.

The last Democratic debate before the Iowa caucuses started just a while back.

All eyes will, of course, be on the top 3 contenders -- Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.

In the aftermath of Qasem Soleimani's killing, foreign affairs are expected to figure prominently in the debate.

Sanders versus warren is the fight to watch out for.

The debate is happening in the backdrop of Elizabeth warren's allegation that sanders told her that a woman could not win the Democratic nomination and defeat Donald Trump.

Sanders has categorically denied the allegations.At some point in the debate, this issue might also play out between the two left-leaning candidates.