New Hampshire Primary: Trump Seeks to Cement Republican Nomination with Blowout Win
It’s a crucial day for New Hampshire voters as they head to the polls for the first primary election of the 2024 presidential cycle. But for former President Donald Trump, this race could be the final blow to his Republican nomination challengers. After a resounding victory in the Iowa caucuses, Trump is looking for a decisive win in New Hampshire that will effectively extinguish the campaigns of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley.
According to polls, New Hampshire offers Haley her best chance for a win, while DeSantis is already looking ahead to South Carolina, where he hopes to gain momentum. However, regardless of the outcome on Tuesday, political experts believe it’s highly unlikely that either DeSantis or Haley will catch up to Trump’s overall lead.
The New Hampshire primary holds significant numbers for this election cycle. With 309 voting locations and over 6,000 primary election workers, the state is prepared for a high turnout. There are a total of 24 candidates on the GOP primary ballots and 21 on the Democratic primary ballots. It’s worth noting that President Joe Biden won’t be on the ballot for the Democratic primary in New Hampshire, as the Democratic National Committee recognized South Carolina as the first presidential primary state.
Trump supporters are confident in his victory, and they are calling on DeSantis and Haley to drop out of the race and unite behind the former president. “I am calling on every other candidate — all of whom have no chance to win — to drop out so we can unify and immediately rally behind President Trump,” wrote House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York.
Several of Trump’s one-time Republican primary rivals, including Nebraska Gov. Doug Burgum, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, have recently endorsed the former president. With growing support and pressure on DeSantis and Haley, Trump’s path to victory seems more certain than ever.
While Haley is hoping for a strong second-place finish in New Hampshire, there are concerns among her top donors that her campaign will be over if she fails to secure a win. South Carolina, her home state, holds its primary on February 3, and polls there show Trump leading by an even wider margin than in New Hampshire.
DeSantis, on the other hand, has been struggling in the polls for months. His support has been steadily declining, and he is expected to fare much worse in New Hampshire than he did in Iowa, where he came in second to Trump. DeSantis has been criticized for his resource allocation, focusing more on Iowa than New Hampshire. Recent polls show his support at 6% or lower, compared to Trump’s 50% and higher.
As for Biden, while he is running for reelection in 2024, he won’t be on the ballot for New Hampshire’s Democratic primary. The Democratic National Committee recognized South Carolina as the first primary state, following Biden’s recommendation. In 2020, Biden came in fifth in New Hampshire but went on to win in South Carolina, which played a crucial role in reviving his campaign.
Overall, the New Hampshire primary is a make-or-break moment for Trump’s rivals. While Haley hopes for a strong showing and DeSantis faces a reckoning, Trump’s dominance among registered Republicans gives him a significant advantage. The race is far from over, but the outcome in New Hampshire could set the tone for the rest of the Republican nomination contest.
