Nikki Haley’s Determination to Continue in the 2024 Republican Presidential Race Despite New Hampshire Primary Results

Nikki Haley, the former two-term South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador under Donald Trump’s administration, has expressed her commitment to continuing her campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, regardless of the outcome of the New Hampshire primary. In an interview with Fox News Digital and on Fox News’ “The Story,” Haley emphasized her belief in the democratic process and her intention to stay in the race for the long haul.

With hours to go until the polls opened in New Hampshire, Haley was down by double digits in most public opinion surveys to Trump, who is the commanding front-runner for the GOP nomination. However, she pledged to move on to South Carolina, the next major contest in the GOP nominating calendar, regardless of her finish in New Hampshire.

Haley’s determination to continue in the race was not a surprise to many, as she had previously stated that she did not believe in coronations in this country. In an interview with Martha MacCallum on Monday in Franklin, New Hampshire, she reiterated her belief in democracy and her commitment to the long-term campaign.

In addition to her public statements, Haley’s campaign manager, Betsy Ankney, announced that the campaign would hold a large event in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday and launch a $4 million statewide ad blitz. This move was seen as a sign of Haley’s intention to continue her campaign in earnest.

Trump, who had predicted another major win on Tuesday, scored a convincing victory in the Iowa caucuses, the first contest on the GOP presidential nominating calendar. He grabbed 51% of the votes, 30 points ahead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who narrowly edged out Haley for second place. However, DeSantis dropped out of the race on Sunday and endorsed Trump, leaving the former president and Haley as the remaining two major candidates in the 2024 Republican race.

Despite the polls indicating Trump dominating among registered Republicans, Haley’s campaign saw an opportunity in New Hampshire, where independent voters who make up roughly 40% of the electorate can vote in either major party’s contest and have long played an influential role in the state’s storied presidential primary. The latest surveys indicated Trump leading among registered Republicans, with Haley grabbing majority support among independents. However, there were likely more Republicans than independents who would vote in Tuesday’s GOP primary.

Veteran New Hampshire-based Republican consultant Jim Merrill noted that DeSantis’ departure from the race narrowed Haley’s margin for error in New Hampshire. He emphasized the importance of Haley doing well in the primary to give her some momentum heading into South Carolina. However, Mike Dennehy, another longtime New Hampshire-based GOP strategist, was more blunt, predicting that Trump would likely hit 60% on Tuesday, which would signal the end of the Haley campaign and virtually seal the deal for the Trump nomination.

Despite the polls and predictions, Haley made a last-minute pitch to her supporters, urging them to go to the polls on Tuesday and take five people with them. She emphasized her belief in the democratic process and her intention to stay in the race for the long haul.

In conclusion, Nikki Haley’s determination to continue in the 2024 Republican presidential race despite the results of the New Hampshire primary is a testament to her belief in democracy and her commitment to the long-term campaign. Her campaign saw an opportunity in New Hampshire, where independent voters could play a significant role in the primary, and she pledged to move on to South Carolina regardless of her finish in New Hampshire. The outcome of the primary will be closely watched as it could provide momentum for Haley heading into the next major contest in the GOP nominating calendar.