In the upcoming Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire, former President Donald Trump continues to hold a commanding lead, according to a new poll released by Suffolk University, the Boston Globe, and NBC10 Boston. With just five days until the primary, Trump enjoys 50% support among likely voters, while former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is gaining ground at 36%. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trails behind at 6%.
The poll, conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, comes after Trump’s resounding victory in the Iowa caucuses earlier this week. However, New Hampshire’s electorate differs significantly from Iowa’s, with moderate voters and independent voters playing a crucial role. This could explain why Haley, who appeals more to moderates and liberals, is closing the gap with Trump.
In a Fox Digital interview, Haley emphasized her focus on Trump, stating, “Trump is the one I want. Trump is the one I’m going for.” She expressed confidence in her momentum, pointing out her strong finish in Iowa, where she started at 2% and ended at 20%. Haley’s campaign is banking on her ability to challenge Trump in New Hampshire and South Carolina, where she hopes to narrow the gap even further.
Meanwhile, DeSantis, who finished second in Iowa, took a swipe at Haley, highlighting his superior performance compared to hers. He argued that Haley cannot beat Trump in New Hampshire or in her home state of South Carolina. DeSantis’s campaign is struggling to gain visibility in both states, with Haley and Trump dominating the spotlight.
The poll also revealed that most New Hampshire voters have already made up their minds, with 85% stating that they are unlikely to change their support. Among self-described conservatives, Trump holds a significant lead over Haley, while Haley leads by double digits among moderates and liberals.
Looking ahead, the primary in South Carolina, scheduled for February 24, will be a crucial test for the candidates. Early polling shows Trump with a substantial lead over Haley, with DeSantis trailing behind. However, Haley remains optimistic, and her campaign is determined to exceed expectations and secure a strong second-place finish.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who has endorsed Haley, expressed confidence in her chances and believes she can win Tuesday’s primary. However, he acknowledged that a strong second-place finish would also be considered a victory in the one-on-one race with Trump.
It is essential to note that the Suffolk University/Boston Globe/NBC10 poll surveyed 500 likely GOP primary voters in New Hampshire and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
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