Former South Carolina Governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has made significant strides against Republican primary frontrunner Donald Trump, as indicated by a poll among voters in two early-voting states.
What Happened: Haley performed strongly in New Hampshire, according to a recent CBS News/YouGov poll conducted from Dec. 8-15, with 1,054 registered voters in Iowa and 855 in New Hampshire.
If the GOP primary were held at the time of the survey in New Hampshire, 44% of respondents chose Trump, 29% chose Haley, 11% supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and 10% and 15% backed former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, respectively.
Haley closely trailed Trump in terms of being perceived as “prepared,” with 54% of likely GOP voters seeing Trump as prepared, compared to 53% for Haley.
Haley was considered the most “likable” by 51% of respondents, outpacing DeSantis with 37% support, while Ramaswamy and Trump each received 36%.
She was viewed as “reasonable” by 51% of respondents, surpassing DeSantis (37%) and Trump (36%).
Trump dominated as a strong leader, receiving 66% support, with DeSantis at 45%, and Haley at 41%.
In terms of beating President Joe Biden, 51% believed Trump had the best chance, while 32% favored Haley.
In Iowa, where the Republican caucus is set for Jan. 14, Trump led with 58% support, followed by DeSantis (22%) and Haley (13%).
The proportion of Republican voters exclusively considering Trump increased from 20% in September to 30%, while 45% considered both Trump and other candidates, and 24% weren’t considering Trump, down from 31% in September.
Why It’s Important: Haley’s competitiveness against Trump in New Hampshire is attributed to the state’s higher number of moderates compared to Iowa, allowing her to appeal to self-described moderates and independents.
Independents and moderates, often able to vote in the GOP primary, could play a crucial role, potentially opting for a candidate different from Trump if he is not in the running.
Among GOP primary candidates, Haley is perceived as the most distinct from Trump.
Haley has garnered support from significant Republican donors, including conservative businessmen and some Democrats.
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