Leaders from Nikki Haley’s home state rally for Donald Trump ahead of New Hampshire primary
In a show of strength ahead of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, former President Donald Trump was joined by leaders from South Carolina at a rally in Manchester’s NHU Arena on Saturday night.
Among those who appeared on stage with Trump were South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, the state’s lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, and House speaker, as well as U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson, William Timmons, and Russell Fry. Trump declared that “almost every politician from South Carolina’s endorsing me.”
The South Carolinians urged voters to carry Trump to a win in New Hampshire before the contest moves to their state, where an early decisive contest is set for next month. “If you do that and you win by a big margin here, we’ll finish the job in South Carolina,” said Murrell Smith, the speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives.
This show of support from South Carolina against Haley comes after Trump received the endorsement of South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who dropped his own bid for the Republican nomination in November.
Haley, who is hoping her appeal among independent and unaffiliated voters will propel her to a strong enough finish in New Hampshire, has faced a famously fractious relationship with many of her state’s Republican power brokers.
The appearances at the rally are seen as yet another show of force from South Carolina against Haley, who is considered a potential contender against Trump in the race. Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly railed against Haley and New Hampshire’s voting laws, which allow unaffiliated voters to participate in either the Republican or Democratic primary.
Amidst the political drama, Trump and Haley have exchanged barbs over past events, with Haley highlighting a gaffe made by Trump about her role during the Capitol riot. Meanwhile, Trump sought to defend his own mental acuity, claiming he took a cognitive test and “aced it.”
Even with their state’s top elected Republicans and much of the congressional delegation in New Hampshire to advocate for Trump, some South Carolina voters remain undeterred about backing other candidates.
The rural state of New Hampshire with its famed independent voters is known for having a significant impact on the presidential primary race. Donald Trump and Nikki Haley’s ongoing feud continues as they battle for support and endorsements from the state’s power brokers.
AP National Politics Writer Steve Peoples in Keene, New Hampshire, reporter Meg Kinnard in Lexington, South Carolina, and Associated Press video journalist Joe Frederick in Peterborough, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.
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