Following the suspension of Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign, Nikki Haley is set to go head-to-head with Donald Trump in the race for the Republican presidential candidate. Despite this being the match-up Haley has been hoping for, the recent narrowing of the field may work in Trump’s favor. DeSantis had previously surpassed Haley in Iowa’s caucuses, and his withdrawal from the race, along with his endorsement of Trump, could further boost Trump’s campaign.
DeSantis’ departure leaves Haley as the main alternative to Trump. She has seen her support increase in New Hampshire, where she has focused her campaign efforts. Her strategy targets independent voters and moderates who may not align with Trump’s conservative populism. Haley’s campaign has been described as a return to pre-Trump Republican politics, focusing on compromise and avoiding grievance politics and conspiracy theories.
However, being a moderate alternative to Trump may not be enough for Haley. If she fails to win in New Hampshire, it’s unclear where she might succeed, especially given Trump’s popularity in her home state of South Carolina. The theory that anti-Trump Republicans could unite behind one candidate will be put to the test in New Hampshire on Tuesday.
