Haley donors may switch to Trump if no victory in New Hampshire
Top Donors Warn Nikki Haley: Win New Hampshire or Lose Our Support
Several of former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley’s top donors are going all in on New Hampshire, warning that they may defect to former President Donald Trump if she doesn’t win the state primary.
Speaking with CNBC, several top donors expressed increasing desperation following Trump’s record-breaking victory in the Iowa caucuses. They unanimously agreed that unless Haley pulls off an upset win or a “very, very close second,” the primary race will effectively be over.
“I would still like to see her get somewhere, but the mountain she has to climb is enormous,” said New York businessman and top Haley donor Andy Sabin. “As much as I like Haley, I don’t even know what Trump could do to stop himself right now.”
Despite previously stating that he wouldn’t give Trump “a f***ing nickel,” Sabin has since changed his mind, acknowledging that Trump “may be the only choice I have.”
All donors emphasized the absolute importance of New Hampshire, one of the states where Haley is polling highest.
“New Hampshire is critical. If she wins there, and she can, it will be a long primary season,”
said Eric Levine, an attorney and bundler for Haley.
However, some donors have completely lost hope in the South Carolina Republican. An investment banking executive and former Haley donor told CNBC that he is now convinced of Trump’s victory in the GOP primary and general election.
Haley suffered a significant blow in Monday’s Iowa Caucuses, failing to secure second place as her campaign had hoped. With 99% of the vote counted, Trump won 51% of the vote, followed by DeSantis at a distant 21.2% and Haley at a slightly more distant 19.1%. She only managed to win one out of 99 counties.
Current polls project that her performance in New Hampshire won’t be much better. According to the latest FiveThirtyEight average, Trump is leading Haley by 13 points in the state where she is polling highest.
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What challenges does Nikki Haley face in differentiating herself from other Republican candidates and capturing voters’ attention in New Hampshire
But if she can’t win in New Hampshire, I don’t see how she can continue,” said one of Haley’s major donors, who asked to remain anonymous. “We’ve invested a lot in her, but ultimately, we want to back a winner.”
The sentiment among Haley’s top donors is indicative of the pressure she faces as she strives to establish herself as a viable candidate in the 2024 presidential race. After serving as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under the Trump administration, Haley has garnered significant support from Republican donors who see her as a strong, capable contender.
However, the Iowa caucuses, which saw Trump win by a landslide, have shifted the dynamics of the race. Many donors who were initially hopeful about Haley’s chances are now questioning whether she can rally the necessary support to advance her campaign.
“We believed in Nikki, and we still do, but there’s a sense of urgency now,” said another donor. “The Iowa results were a wake-up call. If she can’t capture the attention and enthusiasm of voters in New Hampshire, it will be difficult for us to continue backing her.”
New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary holds significant weight in the presidential race. Historically, winning or placing strongly in this state has served as a launchpad for candidates. With this in mind, Haley’s top donors believe that a strong performance in New Hampshire is crucial for her campaign’s credibility.
“The New Hampshire primary is essential for Nikki’s trajectory. If she can’t win here or at least come very close, it will be challenging for her to convince donors, voters, and the party that she has what it takes to win the nomination,” explained one of the donors.
While Haley’s campaign has been making a concerted effort to court New Hampshire voters, her challenge lies in differentiating herself from her Republican competitors. With high-profile figures like Trump and other potential candidates vying for attention, Haley must find a way to stand out and convince voters that she is the best choice.
“Donors want to feel like they are investing in a candidate who can win, but more importantly, they want to feel like they are investing in someone who can lead and uphold Republican values,” said a political analyst.
As the primary race heats up, Haley will need to strategically mobilize her resources to secure a victory in New Hampshire. The pressure is on, as her top donors have made it clear that a loss in this pivotal state may result in a significant loss of support.
In conclusion, Nikki Haley’s top donors are issuing a warning: Win New Hampshire or risk losing their support. The Iowa caucuses have set a standard for success, and unless Haley can achieve a significant victory or a close second in New Hampshire, her campaign may be in jeopardy. As the race intensifies, Haley faces the challenge of distinguishing herself from other Republican candidates and proving her ability to lead. The stakes are high, and only time will tell if Haley can rise to the occasion and secure the support she needs to pursue her presidential ambitions.
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