Former President Donald Trump is maintaining his lead in the race for the presidential nomination in New Hampshire, according to a new poll released today. The poll shows that Trump currently holds 50% support, with former Governor Nikki Haley coming in second at 36%, a two-point increase from yesterday's numbers. Governor Ron DeSantis trails behind with only 6% of the support.
Many have speculated about the significance of Haley's second-place position. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, initially a strong supporter of Haley, had predicted a landslide victory for her in the state. However, Sununu has recently revised his expectations, stating that a strong second place would be considered a win for Haley. He said, 'We wanted to be strong in Iowa, and we did that. We want to be stronger in New Hampshire, and we're going to do that.'
While Trump held a rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire last night, he is currently in Florida attending the funeral of his mother-in-law. DeSantis, who is also in Florida today, has faced speculation that he is not prioritizing campaigning in New Hampshire, as the majority of his campaign staff has shifted their focus towards South Carolina, where he plans to campaign this weekend. However, DeSantis asserts that he is not skipping New Hampshire and plans to visit the state on Friday before heading to South Carolina.
Despite DeSantis's claims, there have been rumors circulating that he may soon drop out of the race. However, no official statement has been made to confirm these speculations. DeSantis faces criticism from his opponents, with one suggesting that he is 'closer to zero than he is to me in either of these states.' It remains to be seen how DeSantis will fare in the upcoming primary.
In the coming days, both Trump and DeSantis plan to continue campaigning in New Hampshire. Trump is expected to hold a rally in Concord tomorrow, while DeSantis intends to visit the state again leading up to the primary. As the race progresses, it will be interesting to see how the candidates vie for support and how their strategies unfold in these crucial early states.
Ultimately, the results of the New Hampshire primary will help shape the trajectory of the Republican nomination race. With Trump maintaining a significant lead and Haley gaining momentum, it appears to be a two-person contest for now. However, as the race continues, anything can happen, and the candidates will have to increasingly focus their efforts on securing crucial wins in key states.
