In New Hampshire, Indian American presidential candidate Nikki Haley has shown a notable surge, doubling her support to 30% since September, challenging the consistent lead held by former President Donald Trump at 44%, according to a recent Saint Anselm College Survey Center poll. This data indicates a significant shift, with Haley gaining momentum while her closest competitor, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, drops from 11% to 5%. Former New Jersey Gov Chris Christie experienced a slight increase in support, reaching 12%.
The Saint Anselm College survey, conducted between Dec 18-19, encompassed 1711 likely voters in New Hampshire, presenting a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points. This shift in support comes just over a month before New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary.
Despite her rise in polls, Trump has maintained a strong lead, dismissing Haley’s surge on social media earlier this month. Trump’s resilience is notable even in the face of legal challenges, including ongoing criminal cases and a civil fraud case, as well as a recent ruling in Colorado that could disqualify him from the state’s primary ballot.
In Quinnipiac University’s national poll, Haley tied with DeSantis at 11%, while Trump led at 67%. This marks the highest levels of support for both Trump and Haley, and the lowest point for DeSantis since Quinnipiac University began national surveys in February 2023.
As Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus approaches on Jan 15, followed by New Hampshire’s primary on Jan 23, the evolving dynamics in this presidential race bring attention to Haley’s rising prominence amid Trump’s enduring dominance.
