In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump has emerged as the projected winner of the New Hampshire primary, solidifying his position as the likely Republican nominee for the upcoming November presidential elections against Democratic incumbent Joe Biden. This victory, following the Iowa Caucus, marks a significant stride for Trump, positioning him as the first non-incumbent Republican presidential candidate to secure consecutive wins in both the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary.
Despite a robust performance by Indian American Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, Trump maintained a commanding lead with 52.5 percent of the votes counted, while Haley secured 46.6 percent – an outcome that exceeded initial expectations for her. Political pundits highlight Haley as the sole Republican contender standing against the formidable Trump.
Having clinched the New Hampshire primary for the third time, Trump's win is seen as decisive, prompting former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to assert that Haley withdrawing from the race in favor of Trump would be the right move for the former South Carolina Governor.
The Trump campaign issued a statement urging Haley to exit the race, emphasizing that she lacks a viable path to victory. Staying in the race, the statement warned, would inadvertently contribute to the re-election efforts of Harris-Biden. Taylor Budowich, CEO of Make America Great Again Inc., emphasized the need for unity and urged Haley to step aside.
Despite the calls to withdraw, Haley displayed determination to continue in the race, expressing gratitude to her supporters in Concord, New Hampshire. While congratulating Trump on his victory, she asserted that the race was far from over, emphasizing that New Hampshire is just the beginning and highlighting her significant support in the state.
Haley recounted her journey from being at two percent in polls with 14 contenders in the race to becoming the last one standing next to Donald Trump. However, she cautioned against a Trump nomination, characterizing it as a potential win for Biden and a presidency for Kamala Harris. The political landscape remains dynamic, with Haley standing firm in her commitment to compete in the upcoming states.
(With Agency Inputs)
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