Trump Surges in New Hampshire Polls After DeSantis Drops Out of 2024 Race

Trump Leads in New Hampshire Primary

Following Ron DeSantis' decision to suspend his campaign, former President Donald Trump has emerged as the frontrunner in the New Hampshire primary polls. Two recent polls conducted after DeSantis' exit show Trump with a significant lead over his Republican competitor, former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina.

In a Suffolk University/NBC10 Boston/Boston Globe tracking poll, Trump has the support of 57% of voters, compared to Haley's 38%. Another poll by InsiderAdvantage indicates an even larger lead for Trump, with 62% backing compared to Haley's 35%. These results suggest that the competitive phase of the party primaries may come to an early end, as Trump continues to dominate.

Having already won the Iowa caucuses by a wide margin, Trump is expected to win the South Carolina primary next month as well. Haley, who trails behind in the polls, will need to significantly improve her standing to have a chance at stopping Trump's momentum.

DeSantis Drops Out, Endorses Trump

Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, announced that he was dropping out of the Republican presidential race and endorsing Trump. In a video announcement, DeSantis acknowledged that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Trump another chance. DeSantis, who placed second in Iowa, faced single-digit support in New Hampshire, leading to his decision to suspend his campaign.

Throughout the campaign, DeSantis was seen as Trump's top rival, especially with the legal challenges and controversies surrounding the former president. However, the DeSantis campaign was marred by various issues, including a glitch-filled campaign launch on Twitter Spaces and claims that he wore lifts in his boots to appear taller. With DeSantis out of the race, Trump has consolidated his position as the leading candidate.

Impact on the Democratic Primary

The less competitive Republican race in New Hampshire may have implications for the state's Democratic primary. President Biden, seeking re-election, is not on the ballot due to an agreement with the Democratic National Committee. However, Biden supporters are running a write-in campaign to prevent unexpected upsets from long-shot candidates. The outcome of the Republican primary could influence voter dynamics and strategies in the upcoming Democratic contest.