24-1-2024 (NEW YORK) In a pivotal turn of events on January 23, Edison Research projected Donald Trump as the triumphant winner of the Republican presidential primary election in New Hampshire. This victory solidifies his grip on the party and propels him towards a potential rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden in the upcoming November elections.
With 57% of the anticipated votes accounted for, Trump commanded a commanding lead with 54.4%, leaving his sole remaining rival, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, trailing at 43.6%. Haley, optimistic about the support of the state’s substantial independent voters, aimed to stage an upset that could challenge Trump’s stronghold on the Republican Party.
Speaking at a primary night gathering in Concord, Haley rallied her supporters, insisting, “This race is far from over,” and threw down the gauntlet by challenging Trump to a debate. Undeterred, she asserted, “I’m a fighter. And I’m scrappy. And now we’re the last one standing next to Donald Trump.”
In Nashua, at his own gathering, Trump took the stage by ridiculing Haley, branding her an “imposter” and dismissing her celebratory speech as unwarranted. Trump remarked, “She’s doing, like, a speech like she won. She didn’t win. She lost. … She had a very bad night.” His sentiments echoed through posts on his Truth Social app, where he labeled her as “DELUSIONAL.”
Trump’s double triumph in both Iowa, where he secured a record-setting victory just eight days ago, and now New Hampshire marks a historic feat not witnessed by the Republican Party since 1976, underscoring the significance of these early nominating contests.
While the final margin remains uncertain, these results are likely to intensify calls from some quarters of the Republican party for Haley to exit the race. Nevertheless, Haley’s campaign, as of January 23, remains resolute, pledging to persevere until “Super Tuesday” in early March when Republicans across 15 states and one territory cast their votes on the same day.
The next battleground is set for February 24 in South Carolina, Haley’s birthplace and where she served two terms as governor. Despite her connections, Trump has garnered support from the majority of the state’s Republican figures, with polls indicating a significant lead.
Haley, who finished third in Iowa, strategically focused much of her early campaign efforts on New Hampshire, anticipating that the more moderate electorate would provide her with the best opportunity to secure a state victory over Trump.
Exit polls on January 23 hinted at potential vulnerabilities for Trump in a general election campaign, primarily due to four sets of criminal charges he faces, ranging from attempts to overturn the 2020 election to retaining classified documents post-White House departure. While Haley has questioned Trump’s mental fitness and warned of potential chaos in another Trump presidency, polls suggest her efforts may only pose a minor obstacle in New Hampshire.
Trump, in his final rally pitch at Laconia village, stated, “If you want a losing candidate who puts America last, vote for Nikki Haley. But if you want a president who puts America first every single time, you’re going to vote for Donald J. Trump.”
As voters gathered outside polling stations in New Hampshire, the state office overseeing the vote reported strong voter turnout. The road ahead for Haley, given the state’s friendliness towards her, becomes increasingly challenging without a win or at least a narrow loss in February.
Haley, aged 52, displayed defiance as voting commenced, pushing back against the notion of a coronation, stating, “This is not a coronation. This is a democracy. We are going to have a strong showing today here in New Hampshire.”
Notably, Joe Biden did not feature on the Democratic primary ballot in New Hampshire, having supported his party’s move to shift their first primary election to the more diverse state of South Carolina. Supporters could still write in Biden’s name, offering a potential barometer of his political strength. Biden, anticipating a rematch with Trump, criticized Republicans over abortion rights during a speech in Virginia, but faced interruptions from hecklers protesting his policies towards Israel.
The US Supreme Court’s conservative majority, bolstered by justices appointed under Trump, eliminated nationwide abortion rights in 2022, energizing Democratic voters in the subsequent congressional elections. Biden has consistently portrayed Trump as a potential dictator and a threat to democracy.
