The race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination is intensifying as former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley gains momentum and threatens Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ front-runner status. Concerns among GOP donors have been growing as no candidate has been able to gain significant traction as an alternative to former President Donald Trump. This has led some donors to consider shifting their support from DeSantis to Haley in an effort to consolidate the field and increase the chances of defeating Trump.
According to insiders, there is frustration within the DeSantis campaign, with some donors expressing disappointment in the lack of progress. However, there are still several donors who believe that DeSantis’ campaign is on track and that he is the only candidate capable of beating Trump in Iowa. Despite recent polls showing Haley in second place in key states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, some DeSantis supporters remain confident that she will not be able to achieve double-digit support in the state.
The latest presidential power rankings indicate that Trump maintains a commanding lead, but both DeSantis and Haley have the potential to reshape the race with a strong showing in Iowa. DeSantis’ campaign recently boasted a $15 million fundraising haul for the July-September period, surpassing expectations. They have also relocated staff from Florida to Iowa, signaling a strategic focus on the upcoming caucuses.
However, DeSantis has seen his numbers decline in recent months as Trump’s lead has widened. The most recent polls show Trump at 48.8% in Iowa, followed by DeSantis at 17.3% and Haley at 11.5%. A Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday further solidified Trump’s position as the front-runner, with 64% support among Republican voters.
Despite the competition between DeSantis and Haley, the DeSantis campaign remains confident in their ability to bring the party together. They believe that DeSantis is the only candidate capable of appealing to both “forever Trump voters” and “Never Trump voters.” The campaign also highlights their fundraising success, as they claim to have out-raised the non-Trump field throughout the entire campaign.
As the 2024 campaign trail continues, the GOP presidential race is becoming increasingly heated. With Haley gaining ground on DeSantis, the race for the nomination is now being viewed as a two-person competition. Both candidates will be closely watched as they strive to make their mark in Iowa and shape the future of the Republican Party.
