Nikki Haley is refusing to suspend her presidential campaign even as the race has largely shifted into a two-way contest between her and Donald Trump — and many in the GOP are falling in line behind the former president.
In a memo released just hours before the first-in-the-nation primary in New Hampshire, Haley’s campaign shared its latest “state of the race” projections expressing confidence in a path to victory as several more states prepare for their own primaries later this year. The memo takes a stab at Republican leaders who have called on all GOP candidates to drop out to back Trump after the Iowa caucuses, accusing the party of simply “giving up.”
“The political class and the media want to give Donald Trump a coronation. They say the race is over. They want to throw up their hands, after only 110,000 people have voted in a caucus in Iowa and say, well, I guess it’s Trump,” the memo said. “And while members of Congress, the press, and many of the weak-kneed fellas who ran for president are giving up and giving in — we aren’t going anywhere.”
The memo looks ahead to the next primaries in states such as South Carolina and Michigan as well as those on Super Tuesday, during which 16 states and territories host their primaries on the same night in early March. The strategy indicates Haley is in it for the long haul, seeking to avoid a similar fate as her former challengers, who have since dropped their bids, several subsequently endorsing Trump.
Haley emphasized the primaries have “not even begun” in a number of states, arguing the fight for the GOP nomination is far from over.
“After Super Tuesday, we will have a very good picture of where this race stands. At that point, millions of Americans in 26 states and territories will have voted,” the memo stated. “Until then, everyone should take a deep breath.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Trump holds a substantial lead ahead of the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, with polling averages showing the former president leading Haley 53.9% to 36.3%. The first-in-the-nation primary holds significance for the presidential race as it typically garners the most media, pollster, and candidate attention and often serves as an indicator of how candidates will fare among national voters.
For months, Haley has signaled the Granite State would be the nominating contest to boost her campaign. But since her third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, Haley and her close allies have sought to lower expectations for Tuesday’s primary against Trump.
