As the New Hampshire primary gets underway, early exit numbers are providing insight into the composition of the Republican electorate in the state. These figures reveal a stark contrast to the political landscape seen in Iowa just a week ago. Among New Hampshire Republican primary voters, 24% identify as very conservative, 39% as somewhat conservative, and 31% as moderate. In comparison, only 9% of Iowa caucus participants identified as moderate. The majority of voters in the New Hampshire primary, at 47%, are undeclared or independent, with 49% registered as Republicans.
One notable trend is the lower participation of those aligned with the 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) movement. Currently, only 32% of Republican voters in the primary consider themselves part of the MAGA movement, while 64% do not. This represents a significant shift from the close split observed among Iowa Republican caucus goers. Additionally, the perception of the legitimacy of the 2020 election appears to be divided evenly among New Hampshire primary voters, in contrast to the two-thirds majority in Iowa who believed Joe Biden was not legitimately elected.
These early exit numbers suggest that the Republican electorate in New Hampshire has a different political DNA than that of Iowa. This variation has prompted Nikki Haley's campaign to focus its efforts on the state, as it presents a potentially more favorable landscape for her candidacy. The larger presence of undeclared or independent voters, combined with a higher percentage of registered Republicans, bodes well for Haley's campaign strategy.
It is important to note that these exit numbers represent the early snapshot of the electorate and are subject to change as more interviews take place throughout the day. As the night progresses, the data will likely shift as additional polling and data collection occurs. However, the current figures provide a valuable glimpse into the characteristics of New Hampshire's Republican primary voters.
As the primary unfolds and more data becomes available, it will be interesting to see how these initial trends develop and whether they hold true throughout the voting process. The outcome of the New Hampshire primary will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the Republican race moving forward, while providing valuable insights into the preferences and priorities of voters in this crucial state.
