Nikki Haley Pushes For Second-Place Finish In Iowa Ahead Of New Hampshire A Week Later

DAVENPORT, Iowa – With a second-place finish in Republicans’ first presidential contest of 2024 in sight, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Saturday night implored a crowd of supporters to brave subzero temperatures Monday and “set the tone” for the rest of America.

“You know you set the tone for where the rest of the country needs to go. You know what you need to do, and I know that you’ll do it,” she said.

Haley has been climbing in polls for weeks, and recently was just several points behind former President Donald Trump in New Hampshire, which holds its primary eight days after Iowa’s caucuses. And supporters said they hoped a stronger than expected finish Monday – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had been ahead of Haley in Iowa for most of last year ― could lead to outright wins in New Hampshire and beyond.

“I think a strong second would be a very good result for her,” said Chris Cournoyer, an Iowa state senator who introduced Haley Saturday. “And I think we’re going to surprise some people on caucus night because I have so many independents and Democrats that have told me that they’re going to caucus for her Monday night.”

Despite near-zero temperatures, a frigid wind and many smaller roads still covered with snow from Friday’s blizzard, Haley was able to pull some 100 attendees into the Thunder Bay Grille just south of Interstate 80. She delivered her now-familiar stump speech for about 25 minutes – incorporating many of the lines she has used in televised debates – and then spent another 25 minutes posing for photos and talking to voters individually.

James Mercer, a semi-retired 76-year-old car dealer and two-time Trump voter, said he is convinced that Haley is the one Republican still running who can actually