With only one other option remaining in the race for the GOP nomination, Republicans who are anti-Donald Trump are now rallying as quickly and fiercely as they can around former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.
When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced this week that he was pausing his presidential campaign, that left just Trump and Haley as the last two candidates standing.
And even though Trump well outpaced Haley in the Iowa caucuses — and maintains a huge lead in most national polls — some “never-Trump” GOPers are making a last-ditch effort to convince voters to choose Haley.
One of the most well-known names in this group is Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas who was a one-time presidential candidate himself. Over the weekend, he posted on the social media platform X:
“Anyone who believes Donald Trump will unite this country has been asleep over the last 8 years. Trump intentionally tries to divide America and will continue to do so. Go @NikkiHaley in New Hampshire.”
Haley has received a big bump in polls over the last few weeks, and looks to do a lot better in New Hampshire this week than she did in the Iowa caucuses. She gained significant support in the Granite State after she received an endorsement from popular Republican Governor Chris Sununu.
Haley has always seemed to have better prospects in New Hampshire than Iowa, and she could make some noise with a good showing this week. South Carolina follows New Hampshire on the primary calendar, and she could do well there, too, seeing as she used to lead the state from the governor’s mansion.
Some other northeastern politicians are throwing their support behind Haley, too, going all-in on finding someone to knock Trump off his perch atop the GOP.
Republican Governor Phil Scott of Vermont called on voters from New Hampshire to support Haley. He issued a statement recently, which said:
“After years of controversy, violent rhetoric and growing polarization, the very last thing we need is four more years of Donald Trump. … [Haley] is our only chance to ensure America has the choice it deserves in November.”
While Haley certainly welcomes these endorsements, they’re unlikely to be very influential to a majority of conservative Republicans in some other states.
In fact, Trump has sought to play up the support that Haley is getting from more moderate Republicans and independents. He said recently that liberals are trying to “infiltrate the Republican primary” in New Hampshire.
Two of the most well-known Trump detractors still haven’t thrown their support behind Haley — former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney.
Receiving their endorsements would certainly be a boon to Haley’s campaign, though it may still be unlikely that she could overtake Trump even with their backing.
Once the GOP primary calendar turns to more conservative states, it’s expected that Trump’s real support will shine through — either resulting in Haley deciding to drop out of the race, or Trump simply pummeling her at the polls.
