A recent poll indicated that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) may be closing in on former President Donald Trump prior to New Hampshire’s important Republican primary. The news comes as both Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) have struggled to make up ground against the former president in most primary polls.
A rent CNN poll showed that Haley is now backed by 32% of potential Republican primary voters, trailing Trump’s 39%. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) registered 12% support, while businessman Vivek Ramaswamy received 8%.
The only other candidate who showed significant support was DeSantis, who was supported by 5% of voters.
New @UNHSurveyCenter poll:
Trump 39%@NikkiHaley 32%@GovChristie 12%@VivekGRamaswamy 8%@RonDeSantis 5%https://t.co/yHjqqdVhIO@NHGOP #FITN— NH Journal (@NewHampJournal) January 9, 2024
Haley has increased her support in the Granite State since the endorsement of New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R). Haley is now in a firm second place behind the former president and above DeSantis in all major polls from the past month.
The former South Carolina governor’s support has increased by 12% since Sununu’s endorsement.
DeSantis is hoping for a strong showing in Iowa. The Florida governor has done campaign stops in all of the Hawkeye State’s 99 counties and was endorsed by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) last year.
Iowa is the first nominating caucus of the Republican primary cycle. Usually, a win in either Iowa or New Hampshire could propel a candidate. Trump’s 2016 win in New Hampshire was a major catalyst for later securing the GOP nomination that year.
Conversely, a poor showing in either or both contests could convince candidates, including Ramaswamy or Christie to drop out of the race.
Haley appears to be placing the lion’s share of her campaign’s energy in the state. Should she have a respectable finish, including a possible win, one of the next primary states is South Carolina. While Haley trails in the state she used to govern, momentum from New Hampshire could make or break her campaign against the former president.
The former governor has picked up some other support, including an endorsement this week from television personality Judge Judy.
