While former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the run for the Republican 2024 presidential candidate, the battle for second place is heating up between two prominent contenders: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Nikki Haley’s Surging Poll Numbers
Haley, the two-term South Carolina governor who later served in Trump’s administration, has been steadily climbing the ranks in the race for the GOP nomination.
Trump’s Dominance in the Republican Field
Trump, maintaining a commanding lead with an impressive 59% in recent polls, has solidified his position as the front-runner.
Strong Performances in Early Debates
However, Haley’s strong performances in the first two Republican debates have significantly boosted her national and early-state polling numbers.
Optimism and Momentum in the Haley Campaign
Haley shared her optimism, saying, “We can feel the momentum on the ground.”
The Haley-DeSantis Showdown
After a town hall event in Rochester, New Hampshire, she noted that her support had doubled from 5% to 10%. This surge catapulted her into third place, just behind DeSantis at 13%.
Overtaking DeSantis in Home State and New Hampshire
While DeSantis currently maintains a grip on second place in Iowa, a critical state due to its early caucuses, Haley has overtaken him in some of the latest surveys in New Hampshire and her home state of South Carolina.
“We can feel it in Iowa. We can feel it in New Hampshire. We can feel it in South Carolina,” Haley proudly declared.
Growing Appeal to Republican Donors
Haley has a growing appeal among Republican donors. During an event in Utah, she engaged with top-dollar GOP donors, garnering significant interest and support.
“We do have donor interest wanting to help us,” Haley confirmed.
DeSantis’ Response to Haley’s Rise
Until Haley’s recent surge, DeSantis had held a secure second place in the polls. When questioned about his perception in the polls, DeSantis defended his campaign, asserting that they were “doing it right.”
DeSantis’ Iowa Strategy
He pointed to his extensive campaign efforts in Iowa, where he’s closing in on visiting all of the state’s 99 counties, positioning himself ahead of previous Iowa caucus winners in terms of organization and support.
The $2 Million Iowa Advertising Push
DeSantis confidently stated, “I can tell you, for what we’ve been able to do in Iowa, I would not trade places with any other candidate.”
The DeSantis campaign further underscored its commitment by reserving $2 million for advertising in Iowa, signaling a robust push ahead of the state’s Jan. 15 caucuses.
DeSantis’ Commitment to Extensive Campaigning
DeSantis reaffirmed his commitment to the campaign trail: “We’re going to be painting this state a lot. We’re going to be doing town halls, house parties, speeches – everything we need to do.”
His recent visit to New Hampshire, where he officially filed for the GOP presidential primary, marked the beginning of an intensified campaign effort.
Will Hurd Backs Nikki Haley
Former Texas Representative Will Hurd, a lesser-known candidate in the race, recently withdrew from the competition and threw his support behind Nikki Haley.
DeSantis on the Viability of Other Contenders
When asked about the viability of other contenders facing steep uphill battles, DeSantis took a pragmatic approach. He acknowledged that anyone running for president has the right to do so, but they must have a believable path.
Uniting for a Stronger Campaign
He added that if candidates don’t see a viable route, they should consider uniting, a decision he believes rests with each candidate.
An Intriguing Battle for Second Place
As the race unfolds, DeSantis and Haley’s fierce competition for second place continues to captivate political observers and voters alike, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the evolving 2024 Republican nomination battle.
“Here We Go Again” – President Biden’s Peculiar Conduct Towards a Baby Sparks Outrage, Fueling Alarming Questions About His Mental Fitness
Megyn Kelly, a well-known right-wing commentator, unleashed her fury on President Joe Biden for nibbling a baby’s shoulder, questioning his mental state and age. “Here We Go Again” – President Biden’s Peculiar Conduct Towards a Baby Sparks Outrage, Fueling Alarming Questions About His Mental Fitness
Kamala Harris’ CONFUSING Speech Draws Merciless Mockery and Criticism – “She Did It Again!”
Vice President Kamala Harris, known for her speeches, once again found herself at the center of controversy following her remarks at the 2023 Essence Festival of Culture. Here’s what happened. Kamala Harris’ CONFUSING Speech Draws Merciless Mockery and Criticism – “She Did It Again!”
Christianity in “Chaos” – Former Church Leader Warns of Political Interference Imperiling Its Future
A former top church leader has warned that Christianity is in “crisis” as the line between politics and religion grows ever closer. His comments have sparked a wave of discussion online. Let’s take a look at the full story. Christianity in “Chaos” – Former Church Leader Warns of Political Interference Imperiling Its Future
“Stop Accepting Migrants!” – Democrats Hit Hard as Voters Deal Crushing Blow Over New York’s Migrant Mess
A majority of New Yorkers, as per a Siena College poll, want the state to reduce the influx of migrants, with 58% expressing that New York has already done enough to assist migrants. “Stop Accepting Migrants!” – Democrats Hit Hard as Voters Deal Crushing Blow Over New York’s Migrant Mess
“This Isn’t Normal” – Biden’s Cognitive Ability Under Intense Scrutiny, Sparking Controversy Over His Ability to Lead a Country
President Joe Biden’s speech in Philadelphia caught the attention of many when a video clip surfaced showing him appearing confused and struggling to find the exit after finishing his address. Here’s the full story. “This Isn’t Normal” – Biden’s Cognitive Ability Under Intense Scrutiny, Sparking Controversy Over His Ability to Lead a Country
The post “We Can Feel the Momentum on the Ground” – Recent Poll Indicates Nikki Haley May Be Overtaking DeSantis in the Race for the Coveted Second Place Spot first appeared on Fistful of Dollars.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Juli Hansen. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.