Former President Donald Trump is poised to consolidate his grip on the Republican Party with a decisive victory in New Hampshire’s primary on Tuesday, aiming to eliminate his last standing rival for the 2024 White House race. Trump, addressing supporters at his final rally in Laconia, New Hampshire, on Monday night, declared, “The Republican Party is growing increasingly unified every day.”
Trump’s remaining opponent, Nikki Haley, is the final hurdle to a general election face-off that polls suggest most Americans are not eager to see – a replay of the 2020 battle between Trump and current President Joe Biden. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, is staunchly resisting Trump’s attempt to conclude the GOP primary race after just two nominating contests.
On the eve of a potentially decisive day that could determine her campaign’s future, Haley pushed back against Trump’s efforts to oust her from the race, stating that America does not do “coronations” and that such tactics are contrary to Republican values. As voting commenced on Tuesday, Haley dismissed Trump’s remarks and pledged to continue her campaign in her home state next month.
The outcome of the New Hampshire primary could significantly influence the options available to American voters in the November general election. For Haley, New Hampshire represents her best chance to secure an early victory against Trump and slow his seemingly inevitable march to the nomination.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, President Biden’s name is absent from the ballot due to a dispute between the state and the Democratic National Committee over the party’s electoral calendar. However, an organized effort is underway for voters to write in his name, providing an informal gauge of the president’s popularity.
The contest has now narrowed down to a one-on-one between Trump and Haley, following the withdrawal of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Haley has been attempting to capitalize on Trump’s blunder of confusing her with former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, arguing that neither Trump nor Biden possess the mental acuity required for a second term in office.
However, Haley’s efforts to gain traction have been challenged by Trump, who has secured endorsements from former GOP candidates DeSantis, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The latter three joined Trump in person at his Laconia rally on Monday night, adding to the pressure on Haley to withdraw from the race.
Trump’s campaign message paints a picture of a nation under threat from immigration, crime, and economic decline. Despite its accuracy being disputed, this message resonates with GOP voters concerned about the southern border crisis and those grappling with rising prices and interest rates who believe they were better off during Trump’s presidency.
Haley, on the other hand, is appealing to voters to make a generational shift, particularly targeting independents who can participate in the GOP primary in New Hampshire. She argues that Republicans are weary of losing and that Trump is likely to be defeated by Biden in the general election.
Despite the high stakes, Haley’s campaign is under immense pressure from the primary calendar and the need to reshape a party that has been dominated by Trump since 2016. If she fails to secure a victory in New Hampshire, it will be challenging to argue that she has a viable path to the nomination.
Unless Haley can pull off a surprise victory on Tuesday, Americans may be faced with a choice between two 80-year-olds for president – a prospect that Haley argues is not what the majority of Americans want.
This story has been updated with additional details.