Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley is the last remaining contender against Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. The New Hampshire primary on Tuesday could be a decisive moment in the race. The stakes heightened when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis withdrew from the race and endorsed Trump, following a disappointing performance in the Iowa caucuses.
Trump is focusing his efforts on Haley, urging Republican voters to deliver him a comprehensive victory in New Hampshire that would effectively end the nationwide nominating contest. Haley’s campaign could be jeopardized if she fails to either win or come close to Trump in the primary.
In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Haley expressed her determination to continue the fight against Trump. She stated, “There’s two people in this race. That’s what we wanted all along. We are going to keep on going.”
Trump is leveraging his political machinery to undermine Haley’s campaign in South Carolina, where she served as governor. A recent CNN poll shows Trump leading Haley by 11 points in New Hampshire, a momentum that he has been building since his victory in the Iowa caucuses.
At a rally in Manchester, Trump criticized Haley’s appeal to undeclared voters who are eligible to vote in the GOP primary in New Hampshire. He accused her of trying to convert liberal voters temporarily into Republicans, a strategy he deemed as “terrible.”
Trump also sought to diminish Haley’s chances in the upcoming South Carolina primary by inviting GOP leaders to endorse him and criticize Haley. South Carolina Rep. Russell Fry accused Haley of being soft on China, immigration, and crime, and of being inconsistent in her positions.
Trump has also launched racially suggestive attacks on Haley on social media, questioning her eligibility to be president due to her South Asian heritage, despite her being a natural-born citizen.
Haley’s campaign in New Hampshire is crucial for her political future. A defeat in her home state could damage her political brand, especially if she plans to run for president in 2028. However, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu believes that a strong performance in New Hampshire could keep her campaign viable.
Despite the challenges, Haley remains hopeful. She has been criticizing Trump for his close ties with dictators and questioning his mental fitness. She also plans to hold several events across New Hampshire to boost voter turnout.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to paint a picture of a nation in crisis, appealing to his supporters’ fears and promising a strong leadership. His rally in Manchester reflected the devotion of his supporters, with 46% of likely GOP primary voters in New Hampshire expressing enthusiasm if Trump won the nomination, compared to 25% for Haley.
With only a day left before the New Hampshire primary, Haley has a tough task ahead to turn the tide in her favor.