Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is set to resume her campaign trail with a three-day tour in New Hampshire, aiming to bridge the significant polling gap with GOP front-runner Donald Trump before the state’s crucial first-in-the-nation primary, less than a month away.
Haley’s return to the Granite State marks her first visit since securing the endorsement of the state’s popular Governor, Chris Sununu. Her campaign has hailed this endorsement as “the latest evidence of Nikki’s growing momentum.”
Sununu, a vocal critic of Trump’s candidacy, is expected to join Haley on the campaign trail this week. The duo will be working to position the former South Carolina governor as the best alternative to the former president ahead of the January 23 primary.
Haley Releases New Ad Featuring Sununu
Before hitting the campaign trail, Haley released a new ad set to air statewide, featuring Sununu explaining why he chose to endorse Haley. “She’s a leader who builds people up. She’s a live-free-or-die Republican who understands fiscal responsibility and individual liberty. She’s a new generation of conservative leadership who can help leave behind the chaos and the drama of the past,” Sununu says in the ad.
In recent weeks, Haley has been gaining momentum in the GOP primary, thanks to strong debate performances and growing support from influential GOP megadonors. A recent CBS News/YouGov poll found Haley closing in on Trump in New Hampshire, with the former president still leading 44% to 29% among likely GOP voters. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis trailed with 11%.
Haley Faces Increased Attacks from GOP Rivals
As Haley’s support grows, her GOP rivals have intensified their attacks. Among them is former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has dismissed calls to exit the GOP primary and back Haley to boost her chances against Trump in the Granite State.
Last week, MAGA Inc., the super PAC supporting Trump, launched an ad targeting Haley, marking the first time Trump’s team has attacked his former United Nations ambassador on the airwaves. The ad criticized Haley for her stance on a gas tax during her tenure as South Carolina governor, accusing her of inconsistency on the issue.
DeSantis also escalated his criticism during a Fox interview, claiming that Haley was out of step with conservatives. In response, Haley has publicly called out both Trump and DeSantis for spreading false narratives about her, emphasizing that if they “have to lie to win, you don’t deserve to win. It’s that simple.”
Haley’s Campaign Remains Focused on Voters
Despite the consistent attacks from opponents, Haley’s campaign says it is focused on appealing to voters in the closing days before voting begins. “Granite Staters are ready for a new generation of conservative leadership. We feel the momentum on the ground and are excited to keep building on it,” Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas told CNN.
CNN’s Alison Main, David Wright and Kit Maher contributed to this report.