Trump Holds Large Lead Over Haley
Former President Donald Trump holds a large lead over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The positive news came after Trump won decisive victories in both the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary earlier this month.
The former president holds more than 80% of potential Republican voters nationwide. According to the Morning Consult survey following the New Hampshire primary results, Trump currently holds the support of 81% of prospective voters. Haley came in second place with just 18% of the vote.
This represents a sharp increase in Trump’s support in recent months. In a poll before the New Hampshire primary, Trump held 79% of the vote, while Haley was in second at 20%.
Furthermore, Trump’s lead has grown substantially since the exit of several of his Republican rivals.
Furthermore, the poll shows that one of Haley’s major criticisms of the former president is not landing. Among GOP voters, just 13% said that they “strongly agree” that Trump is too old for the presidency.
The same poll found that 60% said that they “strongly agree” that he is “mentally fit.” Furthermore, another 70% said that they strongly agreed that the former president is a strong leader.
The positive national polling news also squares with a significant lead for Trump in the next major primary, South Carolina. Trump has a substantial advantage despite the fact that Haley was governor of the state between 2011 to 2019. Trump currently holds 58% of the state’s primary voters, while Haley is in a distant second at 31%.
The South Carolina primary could prove decisive in the former president’s efforts to gain his third straight Republican nomination.
He is supported by both of the state’s senators, Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Scott endorsed the former president despite the fact that he was appointed to his position by Haley.
58 Trump/31 Haley. "Trump net favorability rating stands at 41% in South Carolina. In contrast, Haley’s rating is about half of Trump’s, 23%, with 56% viewing her favorably and 33% unfavorably." https://t.co/n4qkUHbzrY
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) January 26, 2024
Scott said that a potential Trump return to the White House would provide a boost for the economy and for border security.
