He needs Haley to lose.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is at a pivotal moment in his campaign strategy after securing a second-place position in the Iowa caucuses. While winning the upcoming New Hampshire primary may not be a make-or-break situation, DeSantis’s team is closely monitoring the performance of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, hoping for her defeat as a significant turning point.
Despite a narrower two-point victory over Nikki Haley in Iowa than DeSantis’s advisers had anticipated, the campaign sees an opportunity for a comeback. A supporter within DeSantis’s inner circle stated, “If Nikki loses New Hampshire — which is her best chance out of all states to win — and loses her home state of South Carolina right after, she will need to step back, and we get our two-man race.”
Actively strategizing and collecting data for a post-Iowa path forward, DeSantis’s advisers acknowledge the challenges of the fundraising environment but express confidence in raising the necessary resources to navigate through at least the South Carolina primary in late February.
In an unexpected twist, DeSantis finds himself rooting for former President Donald Trump to win the New Hampshire primary. Winning both Iowa and New Hampshire has historically been a strong indicator of securing the party’s nomination, increasing the pressure on DeSantis to maintain a competitive position.
However, some critics within Republican circles express doubts about DeSantis’s prospects, with one key supporter mentioning, “It’s a lackluster showing. There’s nothing to boast about barely edging out Nikki Haley and falling behind by 30 points,” referring to DeSantis’s 21% vote share in Iowa. Despite this, DeSantis redirects resources away from New Hampshire, focusing on South Carolina, a state seen as favorable to him.
DeSantis’s team rallies around the idea of a prolonged one-on-one fight with Trump across the country, aiming to present a viable alternative. They critique Nikki Haley’s spending in Iowa, emphasizing her perceived weaknesses. Campaign communications director Andrew Romeo notes, “While it may take a few more weeks to fully get there, this will be a two-person race soon enough.”
However, some voices within DeSantis’s circle acknowledge the challenges ahead, suggesting that his team may need to confront the harsh realities of the road ahead. Despite internal deliberations, DeSantis remains committed to South Carolina, signaling a determination to stay in the race. Meanwhile, Haley strategically refrains from debating DeSantis in New Hampshire unless Trump participates, framing him as a mere inconvenience in her campaign narrative. The coming weeks will determine whether DeSantis can successfully navigate these political challenges and emerge as a formidable contender in the Republican primary race.
