Haley downplays Iowa, says New Hampshire voters will 'correct' caucuses

MILFORD, N.H. — Nikki Haley is facing backlash for comments she made to a New Hampshire crowd that its primary voters have the opportunity to «correct» the results of the Iowa caucuses set for later this month.

Joined by Gov. Chris Sununu, the Republican candidate and former U.N. ambassador saw large crowds at all three of her events across the state's southern region. At her event at Milford's Hampshire Hills Athletic Club on Wednesday, she closed her remarks with a note catered to New Hampshire voters downplaying the significance of Iowa's caucuses — which takes place Jan. 15, just a few days before New Hampshire's Jan. 23 primary.

«We have an opportunity to get this right. And I know we'll get it right and I trust you. I trust every single one of you. You know how to do this. You know, Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it. … And then my sweet state of South Carolina brings it home. That's what we do,» said Haley, who served as governor of South Carolina.

The campaign of competitor Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis knocked Haley for the comment. In a post on X, the DeSantis campaign wrote, «Nikki Haley belittles Iowa Caucusgoers — claiming their decisions will need to be corrected by New Hampshire voters.»

DeSantis himself responded on Thursday in an interview on Iowa radio station KFAB, accusing Haley of being «disrespectful to Iowans.»

«I think she's trying to provide an excuse for her not doing well,» DeSantis continued.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds fired back after Haley's comments.

«I trust Iowans to make their own decisions. No 'corrections' needed!» Reynolds, who has endorsed DeSantis, posted to X.

Evangelical leader Bob Vanderplaats, who has also backed DeSantis, <a class=«zZyg UbGl iFzk qdXb WCDh DbOX tqUt GpWV iJYz »