At his University of New Hampshire rally on Saturday, Donald Trump mocked his GOP opponent Nikki Haley and the media’s coverage of her “surge” in the polls.
“That’s the fake news. There is no ‘surge,’” Trump said. “Where is the ‘surge?’”
On Sunday, a new CBS News poll showed Haley’s support in the Granite State has grown from 11 percent in September to 29 percent today, while Trump’s has slipped from 50 percent to 44 percent.
Trump’s lead over Haley is now down to 15 points in New Hampshire, and that has got local Haley supporters using the “S” word.
“I think this poll shows the surge, the momentum that started after the first debate,” said former state Rep. Kim Rice. “And it isn’t showing any sign of slowing down.”
Also notable: News of Gov. Chris Sununu’s endorsement of Haley broke on Dec. 12, while the CBS News poll was conducted between Dec. 8-15. That means some of this momentum shift occurred before the Sununu endorsement.
Not that Sununu is holding back his enthusiasm, predicting on ABC News on Sunday that Haley will win the Granite State “in a landslide.”
“It’s an absolute win. No, it’s a win and a reset button,” Sununu told ABC’s Jonathan Karl. “If everyone that could vote in the primary comes out and votes … she’s gonna win in a landslide, and that’s not an exaggeration.”
Haley’s campaign is hoping to build on that momentum by announcing 50 new Granite State endorsements. Among them are three former GOP House Speakers: Donna Sytek, Gene Chandler, and Doug Scamman. Also on the list are two former state GOP chairs, Steve Duprey and Wayne Semprini.
“Over the past year, Granite Staters have had a front-row seat to Nikki Haley’s rise, and they love what they’re seeing,” former State Sen. Jim Luther said in a statement. “She’ll revive the middle class, protect our homeland, stand strong against our enemies, and restore our national pride. There’s no doubt that Nikki is campaigning the New Hampshire way, and everyone’s taking notice.”’
Craig Stevens of Bedford served in the George W. Bush administration and worked on the Bush and Mitt Romney campaigns. He is among the Granite Staters who are now backing Haley.
“Ambassador Haley has the experience and temperament Americans need to lead our country,” Stevens said. “She beats President Biden in a walk and finally allows our nation to reset with a new generation of leadership. And at the top of the Republican ticket, she expands the party’s base and helps our candidates down ballot.”
Haley’s not the only candidate picking up endorsements. On Saturday, former state Senate President Chuck Morse appeared on stage at Trump’s campaign rally in Durham to throw his support behind the former president. Morse is also seeking the GOP nomination for governor.
The complete list of new Haley endorsements is below:
Pat Conway, Rockingham County Attorney
Former State Sen. John Gallus
Peggy Gallus, Businesswoman
Former State Sen. Mark Hounsell
Former State Sen. Jim Luther
Former N.H. Speaker of the House Donna Sytek
Former N.H. Speaker of the House Gene Chandler
Former N.H. Speaker of the House Doug Scamman
Steve Duprey, former RNC Committeeman, former NHGOP Chairman
Former Rep. Stella Scamman, a former member of the UNH Board of Trustees
Former Executive Councilor & Manchester Alderman Earl Rinker
Eric Stohl, Chairman of the NH Fish and Game Commission, Columbia Selectman, former game warden, former State Representative
Former Grafton County Sheriff Doug Dutile
Barbara Dutile, Community Leader
State Rep. John Sytek
State Rep. Stephen Pearson
Former Rep. Neal Kurk, former Chair of the House Finance Committee
Former Rep. Mariellen MacKay
Nicholas Vailas, CEO of Bedford Area Surgical Center and Apple Therapy, former Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services
MaryAnn Vailas, Businesswoman
D.J. Bettencourt, Commissioner of the NH Department of Insurance, former NH House Majority Leader, former Policy Director for Governor Chris Sununu
Wayne Semprini, former N.H. GOP Chairman
Paulette Semprini, Republican grassroots activist
John Lyons, former Chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education
Mary Lyons, Principal of Portsmouth High School
Jeffery Seifert, Sr. Vice President, TD Bank
Faith Francis, Exec VP, Binnie Media
Joel Maiola, former Chief of Staff to Governor Judd Gregg
Ray Tweedie, President of Southern NH Home Builders Association
Matt Mayberry, Executive Director of NH Home Builders Association
Eric Lamb, former Salem Law Enforcement Officer
Bob Worden, Atkinson Selectmen
Henry Ahern, N.H. Republican State Committee member
Bob Preston, Businessman
Chuck Rage, Chair of Hampton Beach Village District and Hampton Selectman
Dave Hartnett, Hampton N.H. small business owner
Kara Schaake Hartnett, Hampton N.H. small business owner
Sandra Ziehm, Former Nashua School Board at-large member
Kerry McCoole, Businesswoman
Michael McCoole, Businessman
Craig Stevens, Businessman
Susan Bradley, Businesswoman
Mark Belanger, Businessman
Christina Belanger, Businesswoman
Crystal Dionne, CGO of Primary Bank
Peter Milnes, Business Leader
Tom DeRosa, principal at b-fresh consulting
Tiffany Eddy, Businesswoman
Traci Beaurivage, Business Leader
Laurie Jasper, GOP grassroots leader
