On January 23, the 2024 election cycle continued with the New Hampshire primary for both Republicans and Democrats. This primary had all eyes on it, specifically for the Republican field.
The Republican presidential race has been narrowed down now to two candidates, former President Donald Trump, and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. According to the Associated Press (AP) poll, Trump is the clear front-runner, polling at 66 percent in favor of Hailey’s 16 percent. The margins between the two candidates are growing larger with several Republicans calling for Haley to drop out of the race and fall in line with the rest of the party.
Haley did have a path to the nomination going into New Hampshire after her third-place finish in Iowa, and her biggest competitor Ron DeSantis dropped out the week prior. Several political analysts were saying this primary could be the way forward for her campaign and be just what she needs to position herself to take on the former President. Haley had some key advantages going into New Hampshire over Trump. The state’s large block of independents and moderate voters was Haley’s best chance to sweep the rug out from Trump and propel her campaign forward. She had the momentum behind her going into the primary, with a good amount of political capital behind her.
To Haley’s misfortune, she did not perform up to the expectations that were held for her. Trump took the victory in New Hampshire, getting 54 percent of the vote along with 12 delegates. Hailey still performed well in New Hampshire, coming in second place with 43 percent of the vote, picking up nine delegates.
Following her loss in New Hampshire, the Haley Campaign announced they would not be suspending their efforts for the presidency, leaving her still in the race and full steam ahead. Hailey said at her rally, which she held following the news of Trump’s win in the state, that the campaign would not be stopping, exuding confidence that she will put up more of a fight in her home state of South Carolina, the next state on the primary list. It should be noted that Trump is polling ahead of her in her home state.
Even with the Republican establishment against her, Haley and her team move forward to South Carolina, saying that this race is not over. The Republican electorate and the Republican elite have all but decided that Trump will be their nominee, setting the political stage for a 2020 rematch.