Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley is demonstrating strong momentum in her 2024 campaign with a significant lead in Iowa, according to a recent Emerson College poll. This remarkable achievement marks the first time that Haley has surpassed her GOP rival Ron DeSantis in an Iowa poll, as revealed by the data set obtained from RealClearPolitics.
In the latest poll conducted by Emerson, Haley secured an impressive 17% support among Iowa voters. Meanwhile, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida garnered 15% support, showcasing a strong competition between the two candidates. It is important to note that former President Donald Trump continued to dominate the field with a commanding 50% support, as indicated in the chart provided below. The esteemed entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy followed in fourth place with a respectable 8% support, while former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie received a modest 4%. Approximately 6% of respondents claimed to be undecided.
This recent Iowa poll comes after a New Hampshire survey showcased Haley’s rising popularity in that crucial state. However, it is worth highlighting that the 45th president maintains a substantial 15-point advantage over his competitors in New Hampshire.
Moreover, a previous Iowa poll commissioned by the Koch network’s Americans for Prosperity Action also positioned Haley ahead of DeSantis. Regrettably, this particular poll does not align with the official data set of the Republican Presidential Caucus. It is worth noting that the Koch network officially endorsed Haley last month, showcasing their faith in her candidacy.
While former President Trump currently holds a significant lead in most polls and is widely considered the frontrunner for the GOP nomination, questions have arisen regarding how Nikki Haley could secure the nomination. Commenting on this matter, a team of Raymond James analysts led by Ed Mills stated in a recent note, “Trump remains the most likely GOP nominee given the size of his polling lead, but we continue to receive questions around how Nikki Haley might secure the GOP nomination.”
As the 2024 race continues to progress, all eyes are on Nikki Haley as she defies expectations and gains substantial support in key states, positioning herself as a formidable force in the Republican Party.
Haley’s Potential Challenge to Trump
Analysts at Raymond James believe that while it may be unlikely, there is still a potential path for Nikki Haley to pose a material challenge to former President Donald Trump in the upcoming race. The key for Haley lies in securing a strong second-place showing in the January 15 Iowa caucuses, followed by a first-place victory in New Hampshire, and maintaining momentum in her home state of South Carolina.
Haley, a former South Carolina governor and ex-ambassador to the United Nations, would need support to consolidate around her as the anti-Trump candidate. The analysts stress the importance of other candidates dropping out of the race early to pave the way for Haley’s success.
From a market perspective, a nomination for Haley could be viewed favorably by investors. The analysts point out that Haley currently holds a lead over President Joe Biden in head-to-head match-ups, and her potential presidency could bring about changes to regulations that would benefit the economy. In fact, in a September speech, Haley made a pledge to support the U.S. energy industry and expressed her belief that Washington has been holding it back.
While these political dynamics unfold, U.S. stocks experienced a decline on Wednesday following a series of record finishes for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It remains to be seen how the race will develop and whether Haley will emerge as a formidable contender to Trump.
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Now read: Stock-market performance under Biden still doesn’t measure up to that under Obama. Or Trump. Even after recent gains.