Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign stop on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, in Gilbert, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Here are the latest developments from the 2016 race for president, less than a week out from the Iowa caucuses. All times local.
8:25 p.m.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is defending his decision to skip Thursday's Fox News debate, saying he was "not treated well" by the network.
Trump said in a Wednesday interview on Fox that he doesn't mind debating, but "I just don't like being used."
He says television networks have made millions of dollars in advertising on debates he's participated in.
Trump disputed the notion that he is hurting his candidacy by not being on the debate stage. He says Republicans already have had debates and "at some point you've got to start doing other things."Trump plans to instead headline a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, raising money for military veterans. He says the event will be "tremendous."
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8:15 p.m.
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump told a campaign rally in South Carolina that he has "not been treated fairly."
But he didn't get into details about his decision to skip Thursday's GOP debate amid an ongoing dispute with host network Fox News.Trump is the only GOP contender who has left Iowa and New Hampshire this week to campaign in South Carolina.
The lead-off Iowa caucuses are Monday, followed by New Hampshire's primary Feb. 9 and South Carolina's Feb. 20.
Trump reminded the hundreds of supporters gathered a farm Wednesday night outside Columbia that he'll return to Iowa on Thursday to host a fundraiser for veterans groups.
It will be held at the same time as the debate just two miles away.7:30 p.m.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is calling billionaire Donald Trump's decision to skip Thursday night's Republican debate, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's subsequent one-on-one challenge an "interesting sideshow."
But he told an audience of mostly young people and families with children at a West Des Moines sports bar Wednesday evening that "this is serious. We cannot lose this election."
Rubio is trying to refocus the discussion in the intensifying race ahead of Monday's Iowa caucuses, with jabs at the two rivals seen to be vying for first place.He spoke to the gathering of about 400 supporters after a day spent largely cooped up in his hotel preparing for Thursday's debate.
The debate preparation Thursday marks a detour from what has been a torrid pre-caucus tromp through the state.
He'll resume a bus tour Friday and plans to fly around the state for appearances Saturday and Sunday.7:10 p.m.
Bernie Sanders says he has no intention of going negative on Democratic rival Hillary Clinton even as the two remain in an increasingly tight race just days head of the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses.
Sanders was on Capitol Hill Wednesday after a meeting with President Barack Obama earlier in the day. He told reporters he has "never run a negative ad" in his life and will not do so against Clinton.
He says he's proud of running a positive campaign.
Sanders also was asked about GOP front-runner Donald Trump'sdecision to skip Thursday night's Republican debate on Fox News, but did not respond as he walked away from reporters.
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6:15 p.m.
Donald Trump's campaign has formally announced plans to host a special event at the same time as Thursday's presidential debate.
The move follows the Republican front-runner's promise to boycott the Fox News debate. He's been upset with Fox over what he calls unfair treatment from debate moderator Megyn Kelly and a sarcastic tweet from the network.
The campaign issued an advisory Wednesday night with details for what it's calling a special event.
Just as the prime-time debate begins Thursday at 9 p.m. EST, Trump is scheduled to appear at Drake University in Des Moines at an event the campaign says will benefit veterans.
The appearance will be just two miles from where his Republican rivals gather for the debate.6 p.m.
Aides to Donald Trump say South Carolina Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster will introduce and endorse the billionaire businessman at a Wednesday rally outside Columbia.
McMaster's nod gives Trump the backing of a longtime South Carolina politician widely viewed as an establishment Republican.
He previously served as state GOP chairman and has been an ally of Sen. Lindsey Graham — a failed 2016 White House hopeful and fierce Trump critic.
AP
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