In a significant development in the 2024 Republican presidential race, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has thrown his support behind Nikki Haley. The endorsement was announced during a town hall meeting in Manchester, marking a significant step in Sununu’s ongoing efforts to counter Donald Trump’s potential nomination.
Sununu’s Endorsement: A Boost for Haley’s Campaign
During the town hall, Sununu, serving his fourth term as governor, expressed his unequivocal support for Haley. He joined the former South Carolina governor on the first day of her three-day campaign tour in New Hampshire. Sununu has been assessing the prospects of various Republican candidates over the past few months and recently decided to back Haley and actively campaign for her until the New Hampshire primary on January 23.
During the event, Haley and Sununu stood together on stage, with an American flag as their backdrop, and received enthusiastic applause from their supporters. Haley expressed her gratitude to Sununu for his endorsement, highlighting the significance of receiving support from a governor who embodies New Hampshire’s “live-free-or-die” ethos.
Haley vs DeSantis: The Battle for Republican Leadership
Haley is currently locked in a fierce contest with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to emerge as the leading Republican alternative to Trump. The two rivals have now secured endorsements from the governors of Iowa and New Hampshire, respectively, both of which are crucial states in the Republican nomination process. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds endorsed DeSantis in November and has been actively campaigning with him.
DeSantis Faces Setback in New Hampshire
Sununu’s endorsement of Haley is a significant blow to DeSantis, whose support in New Hampshire has been waning. This development presents new challenges for the Florida governor’s hopes of a comeback in the state. Despite his efforts to secure Sununu’s endorsement, DeSantis has often clashed with Sununu over their leadership styles and governing approaches.
Christie’s Bid for Sununu’s Support
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, another potential anti-Trump challenger, had also been courting Sununu’s endorsement. Despite their long-standing friendship and shared commitment to challenging Trump, Sununu ultimately chose to back Haley. Christie’s campaign downplayed Sununu’s endorsement of Haley and vowed to continue campaigning in New Hampshire.
Despite the endorsement setback, Christie remains undeterred and has no plans to exit the race or consolidate support behind Haley. He has made it clear that there is no alliance forming between them.