The first major event of the 2016 election season is less than a week away as campaigns ramp up their efforts to pull ahead in Iowa. On Feb. 1, Iowans will meet in local party caucuses throughout the state to determine their nominees for president. As the first stop in the presidential nominating process, a win in Iowa can be a good indicator for who will carry the subsequent state primaries. Republican and Democratic candidates have focused huge amounts of time and money on gaining ground in the state. Recent polls show close races among the top contenders on both sides. Front-runners have stepped up ads touting their own accomplishments while criticizing their main opponents’ platforms. Ads on Iowa television show Republican contenders Donald Trump and Ted Cruz taking shots at one another on immigration and eminent domain while Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has gone after opponent Bernie Sanders for his health care plans. After Iowa, candidates will turn their attention to the New Hampshire primaries on Feb. 9.