Trump wins the New Hampshire primary, putting him a step closer to the GOP nomination

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Former President Donald Trump has won the New Hampshire primary, according to The Associated Press, a victory that puts him on a clear path to securing the Republican nomination.

Trump dominated in last week's Iowa caucuses and has now won the first-in-the-nation primary as well.

In New Hampshire, he withstood an aggressive challenge from his former United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley, who is the final major Republican candidate standing in Trump's way after other hopefuls dropped out.

The result is a huge blow to Haley's long-shot effort to be the Republican Party's nominee.

New Hampshire seemed to be uniquely favorable territory for her. Independent voters, known as "undeclared" in the state, could participate in the Republican primary, giving her a boost. Haley and her allied super PACs spent more than $31 million on television ads in the small state, doubling pro-Trump spending. She also had the endorsement of the state's popular Republican governor, Chris Sununu, who campaigned for her tirelessly.

In the final full day of the campaign, Haley insisted to supporters that "Americans do not do coronations."

With this result, Trump's coronation appears almost inevitable.

Speaking to supporters after his win, Trump criticized Haley and looked past the primary to a general election rematch with President Biden.

"We're going to have the greatest election success. We're gonna turn our country around," Trump said.

He was joined at his rally Tuesday by former rivals in the GOP contest, including entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Tim Scott, a South Carolina U.S. senator whom Haley first appointed to the position. South Carolina's Republican governor, Henry McMaster, who succeeded Haley in that role, is