In early January, another CNN poll had shown Haley closing in on Trump, trailing by just seven percentage points. However, the latest poll results mark a notable change, with Trump now leading by 11 percentage points. This significant lead suggests that Trump’s appeal among the New Hampshire Republican primary electorate remains strong. He now commands the support of half of the primary voters in the state, a testament to his enduring influence within the Republican Party.
On the other hand, Nikki Haley, despite showing a strong performance in previous polls, now holds 39% of the projected vote. This is her highest level of support to date, indicating that she has a solid base within the state’s Republican electorate. However, the gap between her and Trump poses a challenge as she seeks to increase her appeal and sway undecided voters in her favor.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is another notable figure in the New Hampshire Republican primary, albeit with a comparatively smaller share of support. Holding 6% in the latest poll, he falls below the 10% threshold required by state party rules to claim delegates. This suggests that while DeSantis has a presence in the race, he has yet to make a significant impact on New Hampshire voters.
Interestingly, the poll reveals that one in five Republican primary voters in New Hampshire are still undecided. This sizable portion of undecided voters indicates an element of fluidity and unpredictability in the race. More than half of these voters are leaning towards Haley, which could potentially narrow the gap between her and Trump if these leanings solidify into firm support.
As the New Hampshire primary approaches, the political dynamics remain dynamic and subject to change. The CNN poll, with its margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points, surveyed 1,210 likely Republican primary voters. The results underscore the competitive nature of the primary and highlight the importance of New Hampshire as a bellwether state in shaping the Republican nomination process. As Tuesday’s primary looms, all eyes will be on New Hampshire to gauge the shifting tides of Republican voter sentiment.
