Donald Trump emerged victorious in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, further solidifying his lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. While his win was expected, it was not enough to push rival Nikki Haley out of the White House contest. With nearly 55 percent of the votes counted, Trump’s exact margin of victory will be determined later in the day.
This triumph in New Hampshire follows Trump’s landslide victory in Iowa, making him the first non-incumbent in the modern era to win both early states. These back-to-back wins provide Trump with significant momentum as the Republican nominating campaign moves to the South, positioning him for a potential rematch against Democratic incumbent Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election.
Speaking at a post-election party in Nashua, New Hampshire, Trump celebrated his victory and took a swipe at Haley, asserting that she would never win the Republican party’s nomination for the White House. Despite Trump’s strong showing, Haley remained defiant at her own election night party in Concord, New Hampshire. She emphasized that the race was far from over and highlighted the upcoming major contest in South Carolina, where she served as governor for two terms.
The New Hampshire primary was a crucial test for Haley, who finished third behind Florida governor Ron DeSantis in Iowa. However, DeSantis suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump, recognizing that a majority of Republican primary voters wanted to give the former president another chance. Haley’s determination to continue fighting shifts attention to her campaign finances and whether donors will be willing to support a prolonged primary process that may last for months.
After the South Carolina Republican primary on February 24th, the focus will shift to Super Tuesday on March 5th. On this day, more than a dozen states will hold elections and allocate delegates. Trump has already secured endorsements from almost all major Republican candidates who have withdrawn from the race, including senator Tim Scott from Haley’s home state of South Carolina. Other prominent Republicans, such as senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, have also begun lining up behind him.
Meanwhile, Biden, who won an unofficial Democratic primary in New Hampshire, acknowledged Trump’s trajectory towards becoming the Republican nominee. In a statement on Tuesday night, Biden emphasized the high stakes of the upcoming election, highlighting the importance of American democracy, personal freedoms, and the US economy.
It is clear that Trump’s back-to-back victories in Iowa and New Hampshire have solidified his position as the frontrunner in the Republican nomination race. As the campaign moves forward, all eyes will be on South Carolina and Super Tuesday, where Trump will face new challenges and opportunities to further cement his status as the Republican nominee. The 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be an intense battle between Trump and Biden, with both candidates fully aware of what is at stake for the future of the United States.
