- DeSantis endorses Trump
- Polls show Trump lead
- Haley challenges Trump’s dominance
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida endorsed Donald Trump just before the New Hampshire primary after failing to emerge as a formidable opponent to the 77-year-old former president in his race for the Republican nomination for president.
Less than two days before the New Hampshire primary, DeSantis’s decision has been made, and polls have him trailing frontrunner Trump and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley by significant margins.
The Republican primary voters’ preference for a second opportunity on Donald Trump is evident, the 45-year-old candidate stated in a video published on X on Sunday.
DeSantis then attacked Haley, his longtime rival for second place in the primary contest, in the video, stating that Republicans “cannot return to the old Republican guard of yesteryear, which Nikki Haley represents as a repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism.”
During a rally on Sunday evening in Rochester, New Hampshire, Trump praised Governor DeSantis despite months of criticism and ridicule, expressing his eagerness to collaborate with him in the fight against probable Democratic nominee President Joe Biden.
Trump’s Gratitude to DeSantis
Trump commenced his remarks by expressing his gratitude and congratulations to Ron for his outstanding performance. “He expressed great favorability and granted me his endorsement.” In addition to my gratitude, I eagerly anticipate collaborating with Ron.” Trump referred to DeSantis as “a remarkable individual.”
To win the New Hampshire primary, Trump accused Haley of forming an “unholy alliance” with liberals, never-Trumpers, and so-called RINOs, or Republicans in Name Only.
Despite Trump’s legal issues, particularly one relating to 2020 election interference, early primary surveys showed that DeSantis would certainly defeat him in 2024.
The governor of Florida amassed a campaign war treasury of over £100 million, which was bolstered by a substantial legislative record on issues that are significant to a great number of conservatives, including abortion and the inclusion of educational materials on race and gender.
Nonetheless, he needed help to gain support from the electorate or communicate with them.
DeSantis encountered persistent challenges in establishing a consistent presence in the primary, including a technical malfunction that plagued a high-profile announcement on X and ongoing disruptions to his staff and campaign strategy. Trump defeated him in the Iowa caucuses, finishing 30 percentage points clear of Haley, rendering his pledge to win in vain.
DeSantis and Haley engaged in frequent, more direct attacks in debates and advertisements than they did against Trump.
Republican strategist David Kochel, who has worked on five presidential campaigns, stated that DeSantis’s withdrawal was improbable to alter the campaign’s fundamental structure significantly, considering the steep decline in his support.
“The race requires a significant dynamic shift, and DeSantis’s withdrawal is not that big of a deal, considering he didn’t have that much going on in New Hampshire or South Carolina,” he elaborated.
Trump vs Haley
Polls indicate that Trump leads Haley by double digits in New Hampshire, and his campaign team is optimistic that a second consecutive victory will virtually guarantee his eventual nomination.
The campaign of the former reality TV star labeled Haley as “the candidate of globalists and Democrats,” prompting Republicans to rally in his support.
“Now is the time to make prudent decisions,” the statement read.
Additionally, Trump holds a significant advantage in South Carolina, where the election occurs on February 24. A defeat for Haley in her native state, where she served as governor between 2011 and 2017, would likely result in the termination of her campaign.
Haley elicited applause at a Seabrook, New Hampshire campaign event, where she announced that DeSantis had withdrawn.
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“I will conclude by wishing the most deserving woman success,” she declared.
As time expires, Haley has intensified her criticisms of Trump, attributing Republican electoral defeats in 2020 and 2022 to the former president and scrutinising his acclaim for autocratic regimes.
Haley stated that the United States “is not a nation of coronations.”
“At this time, only one state has cast its ballot.” Half of the ballots were cast in favour of Donald Trump, while the other half were not… “Voters have a right to determine whether we follow in the footsteps of Trump and Biden or forge a new path towards conservatism,” she stated.
After withdrawing from the race for the presidential nomination, DeSantis’s political destiny is also uncertain. The 45-year-old is limited to two terms in office as governor of Florida.
The conclusion of his most recent term is in January 2027.
