In the upcoming New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, a recent poll suggests a two-horse race is shaping up between former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. The survey, conducted by Suffolk University in conjunction with the Boston Globe and NBC10 Boston, presents a clear picture of the candidates’ standings just days before the primary.
Trump, who is making his third consecutive run for the White House, is leading the pack with a robust 50% support among likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire. Haley, who previously served under the Trump administration, is trailing with 34% support. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is positioned a distant third, with only 5% backing.
This poll outcome comes in the wake of Trump’s overwhelming win in the Iowa caucuses, where he secured 51% of the votes. DeSantis finished second and Haley third in Iowa, setting the stage for a competitive primary in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire’s electoral landscape, known for its distinct moderate voter base and influential independents, presents a different dynamic compared to Iowa. The poll indicates that while Trump enjoys a significant 61%-34% lead over Haley among registered Republicans, Haley has an edge of 44%-38% among independent voters.
Among self-described conservatives, Trump maintains a solid lead over Haley. However, Haley is leading among voters who identify as moderate or liberal, enjoying a 56%-27% advantage in this demographic.
David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, highlighted the contrasting bases of support for each candidate. He noted that Trump’s strength lies in pulling Republican and male independent voters, while Haley’s appeal is stronger among moderates and female independents.
The survey, which polled 500 likely GOP primary voters in New Hampshire, has an overall sampling error margin of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. As the New Hampshire primary approaches, the political spotlight intensifies on this critical early voting state, renowned for its first-in-the-nation presidential primary status.