Nikki Haley gains momentum over DeSantis after Iowa poll tie.
Former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley Gains Ground in 2024 Presidential Race
Excitement is building as former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, emerges as a strong contender in the 2024 presidential race. In a recent poll conducted by NBC News, the Des Moines Register, and Mediacom, Haley is now tied with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) as the favorite Republican candidate among Iowa voters, trailing only behind former President Donald Trump.
The poll, released on Monday, reveals that both DeSantis and Haley have secured 16% of Iowa voters as their first choice for president. Notably, Haley’s popularity has skyrocketed from 6% in August to 16% in October, while DeSantis has experienced a slight decline from 19% to 16%.
Strong Support for Haley
When asked about their second choice, 27% of voters selected DeSantis, while 17% chose Haley. Impressively, 22% of respondents stated that they were actively considering Haley as a potential candidate.
One voter, Kristy Beckwith from Ankeny, Iowa, expressed her admiration for Haley, stating, “I feel like she’s fresh, and I liked what she said about how the things that she did as governor of South Carolina — I mean… she’s a strong woman,” in an interview with NBC News.
Haley’s recent performances in the GOP debates have exceeded expectations, leading to a surge in the polls. However, this has also drawn criticism from Trump’s campaign, which typically directs most of its attacks towards DeSantis.
DeSantis, initially seen as Trump’s strongest competitor in the 2024 Republican primary, is now facing a decline in support in key battleground states like New Hampshire and Iowa, where Haley is gaining momentum. In New Hampshire, Haley’s support has soared to 19% among voters, while DeSantis has fallen to 10%.
Multiple other polls also indicate that Haley is making significant progress in surpassing DeSantis in the primary race. A recent national poll conducted by USA Today and Suffolk University found that Haley is garnering 11% support among likely Republican voters, just 1 percentage point behind DeSantis at 12.3%. This marks a significant increase for Haley, who previously stood at 4.49%, while DeSantis has experienced a decline from 22.86% since the same poll was conducted in June.
Furthermore, according to a CNN poll and an NBC News poll following the first debate, Haley is the only candidate who could defeat President Joe Biden by a considerable margin in the general election, thanks to her popularity among independents. However, DeSantis maintains his second-place standing with a RealClearPolitics average of 12.6%, compared to Haley’s 8.3%.
While these polls provide valuable insights, it’s important to note that October’s public polling has historically not been indicative of the eventual winner of the Iowa Caucus. Andrew Romeo, communications director for DeSantis, emphasized this point, stating, “We are seeing Ron DeSantis continue to build momentum in the Hawkeye State, and Team Trump is, too — which is exactly why they are once again using the entirety of their media buy in Iowa attacking the governor with false negative ads.”
Romeo continued, “Ron DeSantis has the former president on defense in Iowa because he is out-working him, out-organizing him, and has a message to revive this nation that continues to resonate with the Iowa electorate.”
The NBC News-Des Moines Register-Mediacom poll surveyed 404 likely Republican caucusgoers from October 22-26 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to Haley’s campaign for comment.
How will Haley navigate the challenge of Trump’s influence in the Republican party while presenting herself as a viable alternative
Port has increased from 8% in August to 17% in October, while DeSantis has remained at 19%.
Haley’s rise in the polls can be attributed to several factors. First, her extensive experience as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under the Trump administration has given her a strong foreign policy background. This resonates with voters who prioritize national security and international relations. Additionally, her tenure as governor of South Carolina showcased her ability to lead and make tough decisions, earning her respect among conservatives.
Furthermore, Haley’s ability to effectively articulate her conservative values and connect with voters has been a key factor in her growing support. Her speeches and interviews often touch on issues such as economic growth, individual liberty, and limited government, which are key concerns for many Republican voters. As a result, she has been able to appeal to a broad range of conservatives, from the more moderate to the more staunchly conservative.
Despite her growing support, Haley still faces challenges in the 2024 presidential race. Trump’s shadow looms large over the Republican party, and many voters remain loyal to the former president. Trump has yet to announce whether he will run for a second term, but his influence will undoubtedly shape the direction of the party and the choice of the eventual nominee. Haley will need to navigate this delicate balance of acknowledging Trump’s popularity while presenting herself as a viable alternative.
Haley’s rising popularity among Iowa voters is a significant development in the 2024 presidential race. While she still trails behind Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, her strong performance in recent polls and her ability to connect with voters have established her as a serious contender. As the race continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see if Haley can maintain her momentum and build on her growing support in key battleground states.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...