Trump Leads New Hampshire Primary

Chloe Whisperwillow

Updated Monday, January 22, 2024 at 6:17 AM CDT

Trump Leads New Hampshire Primary

As the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary approaches, former President Donald Trump emerges as the frontrunner, building on his record-setting performance in the Iowa caucuses. The Granite State’s primary, known for being the nation's first, sets the stage for a pivotal one-on-one matchup between Trump and his main competitor, Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor.

The political landscape shifted when Ron DeSantis, previously a contender with support in New Hampshire, ended his 2024 campaign and endorsed Trump. DeSantis’s endorsement came right before the primary, leaving Haley as Trump's main rival. Haley, who finished just behind DeSantis in Iowa, argues that she is better positioned to defeat President Joe Biden, citing her lack of Trump's "chaos and political baggage."

New Hampshire's moderate political tradition is on full display as unaffiliated voters are allowed to participate in the primary. Secretary of State David M. Scanlan predicts a record turnout of 322,000 GOP primary voters. Notably, prominent Republicans including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, and Ohio Sen. JD Vance have thrown their support behind Trump, while New Hampshire GOP Governor Sununu backs Haley.

Democratic leaders reportedly express greater concern over a Haley candidacy in the general election, fearing her appeal might surpass Trump's, who faces skepticism over his electability due to legal issues and the alienation of suburban voters. With New Hampshire's voters known for casting strategic votes to defeat the opposing party, Haley could benefit from a large turnout of unaffiliated voters.

Adding to the electoral drama, President Biden has steered clear of New Hampshire after advocating for South Carolina to lead the primary calendar. Meanwhile, Trump, undeterred by legal proceedings, continues to play an active dual role in the courtroom and on the campaign trail. At 77, he is utilizing his court appearances to potentially gain political leverage, holding press conferences to attack his opponents.

Manhattan trials involving Trump are underway, with the outcomes pending. Judge Arthur Engoron is deliberating on a $370 million penalty in a civil fraud trial where Trump has been allowed to personally deliver a closing argument. Additionally, a jury is deliberating in E. Jean Carroll's defamation trial in U.S. District Court, where Trump is sued for defamation after she accused him of sexual abuse decades ago. Trump’s courtroom behavior is under scrutiny, as federal judges with lifetime tenure weigh how to handle his conduct without turning legal proceedings into political spectacles.

In Rochester, New Hampshire, a town with a history of reflecting statewide GOP primary trends, political activity is heating up. Trump held one of his last major events there before the primary, receiving the endorsement of Rochester GOP chairman Carlton Cooper. The town, which has supported Democrats in the past, flipped to Trump in the 2016 and 2020 general elections. Both Haley and DeSantis campaigned in Rochester, recognizing its bellwether status.

Voters in Rochester, including undeclared voters like Amy Shaw, express a range of opinions. Shaw is ready to support Haley but would back Trump in the general election, while others like John, a 72-year-old Republican, remain loyal to Trump for his presidential experience. Suzanne Pina, an undeclared voter, considers Trump's tax policies as a deciding factor. Meanwhile, voters like Chris Bannon and Jonathan Roth are drawn to Haley's character and moderate stance.

As New Hampshire prepares for this critical primary, the political dynamics reflect a broader national conversation about leadership, electability, and the future direction of the Republican Party. With high stakes in play, the outcome in the Granite State will undoubtedly send ripples through the 2024 presidential race.

Conservative Bias:

Once again, the liberal media is spinning tales to prop up their darlings and smear the only president who truly fought for the American people. In New Hampshire, the patriots are rallying behind President Trump, a man who has tirelessly worked to make America great, despite the constant witch hunts and baseless accusations. The so-called Republicans endorsing Nikki Haley are nothing but RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) who are betraying their country by supporting a candidate who is clearly the left's favorite Trojan horse. They're afraid of Trump because he represents the real conservative movement that threatens their cozy establishment. The Democrats are shaking in their boots at the thought of facing Trump again because they know their socialist agenda will crumble under the weight of his America-first policies. And these trials? They're nothing but a circus orchestrated by the deep state to distract the public from the success of Trump's policies and to derail his unstoppable momentum. The people of New Hampshire, true to their independent spirit, are seeing through the sham and are ready to back Trump, the only leader who has proven he can take on the swamp and win.

Liberal Bias:

In an astonishing display of hypocrisy and denial, the GOP in New Hampshire is rallying around a disgraced former president who has turned American politics into his own personal reality show. Despite facing numerous legal challenges that would sink any other politician, Trump continues to hypnotize the Republican base with his dangerous and divisive rhetoric. His enablers, like those in Rochester who blindly follow him, are complicit in the erosion of our democratic norms. Meanwhile, the Republican establishment's fear of Nikki Haley's candidacy reveals their misogynistic reluctance to support a strong woman who could actually restore dignity to the party. It's pathetic that they would rather back a man whose policies have been a disaster for anyone not in his tax bracket. The legal proceedings against Trump are a testament to his utter disregard for the rule of law, and yet, the GOP treats him like a martyr instead of the liability he truly is. As New Hampshire voters consider their options, they must recognize that a vote for Trump is a vote against decency, against progress, and against the very soul of America. It's time for the Republican Party to wake up and choose a path that doesn't lead to moral bankruptcy.

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