Who expected this to happen?
Apart from Donald Trump’s sustained dominance in all the polls, one of the most noteworthy developments in the Republican presidential race has been the remarkable surge of Nikki Haley.
According to Newsmax, In recent weeks, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador has rapidly ascended to the second position in Iowa’s polls, displaying notable strength in the pivotal New Hampshire primary.
It’s evident that Haley’s rise has come at the expense of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who had long been viewed as the primary GOP alternative to Trump.
The latest Iowa Poll results indicate Trump leading with 43% among likely GOP caucusgoers, while Haley and DeSantis are now tied for second place at 16%.
This represents a 3% decrease for DeSantis compared to his 19% support in August, and a significant 10-point jump for Haley, who was polling at 6% in the August survey, as reported by the Des Moines Register in partnership with NBC-TV.
In New Hampshire, where the popular GOP Governor Chris Sununu is expected to endorse Haley in the near future, two polls have placed the South Carolinian in second place, ahead of DeSantis and behind Trump.
A Suffolk University Poll among potential Republican primary voters displayed Trump at 49%, Haley at 19%, and DeSantis at 10%. The Public Opinion Strategies (POS) poll also showed Trump leading with 46%, followed by Haley at 18% and DeSantis at 12%.
According to former Attorney General Tom Rath, a seasoned veteran of Republican presidential campaigns in New Hampshire for four decades, Haley is currently the preferred choice for “never-Trumpers.” Rath noted that her conservative credentials are robust, she has executive experience, a strong grasp of foreign policy, and represents a brand of conservatism in alignment with the mainstream.
Haley’s recent gains in Iowa and New Hampshire coincide with Mike Pence’s withdrawal from the race, and the anticipated exits of former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott before Thanksgiving. All of these individuals are expected to endorse Haley, further bolstering her lead over DeSantis.
However, whether these developments will be sufficient to catch up with Trump remains uncertain.