Nikki Haley's supporters remain optimistic despite defeat to Trump in New Hampshire

• Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley lost the New Hampshire primary to former President Donald Trump on Tuesday after months of campaigning in the Granite State and receiving the support of Republican Gov. Chris Sununu.
• Several Haley supporters told the Daily Caller News Foundation at her campaign watch party that they are proud of the support she brought and believe it will propel her in the upcoming primary states.
• “I knew if she lost, she wasn't going to quit. She's going to go, she's going to fight. And that's what I loved about her: She's a fighter, she's not a quitter. And she's going to make this America great one day.” , Lester C. Reed Sr., a retired independent truck driver from Plaistow, told the DCNF.

CONCORD, New Hampshire – Supporters of former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley's 2024 bid remained optimistic about her future in the race despite her loss to former President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening.

trump beat Haley 53.6% to 45.3% in the Granite State just over a week after finishing third in the Iowa caucus behind former president and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has since he fell out of the race After Haley insisted she plans to run in her home state of South Carolina and beyond, voters for the former ambassador told the Daily Caller News Foundation at her campaign party that her support in New Hampshire would boost her “impulse”.

“I feel good,” Tim Sheedy, a Republican attorney from Concord who has volunteered for Haley, told DCNF. “She's done well, you know, they wanted to do well in Iowa. They wanted to get stronger here. And they wanted to go on to South Carolina and beyond. And, you know, a lot of people were saying tonight was going to be the end, and it won't be. It will continue.”

Karen O'Connell, a 53-year-old stay-at-home mom from Stratham, echoed Sheedy's sentiment, telling the DCNF that she remains hopeful about Haley's campaign in the upcoming primary.

“We're going to take 50 percent, hopefully South Carolina will be the big win, we're going to keep gaining momentum,” said O'Connell, a Republican. “If Nikki Haley can dream that she is a viable candidate, I think these wonderful Trump supporters will realize that there is an option and that it will not be a wasted vote to vote for Nikki Haley.”

Pre-primary polls had Trump ahead of Haley by double digits, with RealClearPolitics (RCP) trailing. average finding the former president winning 55.8% to 36.5%.

Wendy Clymer, a 64-year-old retired teacher from Concord, believes the support Haley garnered in the Granite State against Trump will attract more voters in other states.

“I think it's wonderful that she's done so well, and I hope it gives them momentum for people to know about her,” Clymer told the DCNF. “Trump is so negative and so nasty, and he's basically a criminal, actually. He shouldn't be running, he should be in jail. And then he's not even, he's not nasty. You know? She's just sticking to the issues , he has a hope and a dream, and he just wants payback. It's all about him.”

Clymer's husband, Richard, who is 63 and works part-time for a national defense surveillance firm, told the DCNF he was “very encouraged” by the primary results. Both said they have always been Republicans but would vote for President Joe Biden in the general if Trump wins the nomination.

Haley delivered remarks after the primary results in which she congratulated Trump on his victory and shot down rumors that she would withdraw from the race after losing.

“Now you have all heard the talk among the political class. They are falling over themselves saying this race is over. Well, I have news for all of them: New Hampshire is first in the nation, not last in the nation,” Haley said. “This race is far from over, there are dozens of states to go. And next up is my sweet home state of South Carolina!”

Lester C. Reed Sr., a retired independent truck driver from Plaistow, told the DCNF he was “shocked” by Haley's loss.

“I knew if she lost, she wasn't going to quit. She's going to go, she's going to fight. And that's what I loved about her: She's a fighter, she's not a quitter. And one day she's going to make this United States great.” , said Reed, who voted Democratic in the last two cycles.

NBC News exit polls Found that Haley received 61% and 84% support from those who identify as independents and Democrats, respectively. The former ambassador brought in just 25 percent of self-identified Republicans, compared to Trump's 74 percent.

snowfall will hold both a state primary and a party meeting on February 6 and 8, respectively. The South Carolina primary follows on February 24, where Haley is currently polling 30.2 points behind Trump in the RCP. average.

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