Trump cruises in New Hampshire primary election

File image: Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa, US December 19, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Trump Secures New Hampshire Victory, Haley Vows to Persist

In a resounding victory, Donald Trump emerged triumphant in New Hampshire's Republican presidential contest on Tuesday, inching closer to a potential rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden in November. Despite fierce competition from former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, who pledged to continue her campaign, Trump's commanding lead underscored his dominance within the party ranks.

Addressing supporters at a post-election gathering in Concord, Haley defiantly declared, "This race is far from over," challenging Trump to engage in a debate while emphasizing her resilience in the face of adversity. However, Trump swiftly dismissed her aspirations, deriding Haley as an "imposter" and questioning her claim of victory during his own rally in Nashua.

With Edison Research reporting 57% of the expected vote counted, Trump held a substantial lead of 54.4% to 43.6% over Haley. Her hopes of leveraging New Hampshire's independent voter base to upset Trump's grip on the Republican Party were dashed as Trump secured consecutive wins in both Iowa and New Hampshire, marking the first Republican to achieve such a feat since 1976.

Despite Haley's determination to press forward until "Super Tuesday" on March 5, pressure mounts within Republican circles for her to concede and unify behind Trump. The upcoming South Carolina primary on February 24 looms as the next battleground, where Trump's stronghold appears unyielding despite Haley's roots and political history in the state.

The withdrawal of former contender Ron DeSantis and his subsequent endorsement of Trump further solidified Trump's position, particularly among voters in New Hampshire who favored the incumbent. Edison's projections also indicated Biden's triumph in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, overshadowing his opponent, US Representative Dean Phillips.

Exit polls hinted at potential obstacles for both Trump and Biden in a general election showdown. Despite his victory, a significant portion of Republican primary voters expressed concerns over Trump's legal entanglements, with 42% questioning his fitness to serve if convicted. Conversely, Biden faces challenges in highlighting his administration's economic achievements, as three-quarters of Republican primary voters rated the economy unfavorably.

Shifts in voter demographics also surfaced, with a slight decrease in Republican turnout compared to the 2016 primary, accompanied by a modest increase in self-identified Democrats. Independents maintained a consistent presence, reflecting the state's diverse political landscape and the evolving dynamics shaping the upcoming electoral landscape.

Biden not on ballot

Joe Biden deliberately chose not to feature on the ballot in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire, aligning with his party's decision to relocate the first primary to the more diverse state of South Carolina. Despite his absence on the official ballot, Biden's supporters in New Hampshire could still express their allegiance by manually writing in his name, providing a gauge of his political influence. With 29% of the estimated vote tabulated, Edison reported Biden securing a commanding lead with 67.7%, leaving his nearest rival, Phillips, trailing at 19.4%.

Anticipating a potential rematch with Trump, the Democratic president used a speech in Virginia to criticize Republicans for their attempts to restrict abortion rights. In a subsequent statement, Biden emphasized the significance of the upcoming election, acknowledging Trump as the likely Republican nominee. He underscored the high stakes for democracy, personal freedoms, and the economy, highlighting the robust recovery following the challenges posed by Covid-19.

While New Hampshire shares similarities with Iowa in its predominantly white population and modest size, it distinguishes itself with a more moderate Republican electorate and a track record of accurately predicting eventual nominees.

In contrast, Nikki Haley intensified her criticisms of Trump in the lead-up to the election, targeting his relationships with authoritarian leaders such as North Korea's Kim Jong Un. The former UN ambassador, aged 52, also raised questions about Trump's age (77) and mental sharpness, echoing similar attacks she has levied against Biden, who is 81. In her Tuesday speech, Haley cautioned that a Trump nomination would result in another victory for Biden, asserting that Democrats are eager to face Trump in the upcoming election.