EXETER, New Hampshire — Former President Donald Trump took a giant step closer to his third consecutive Republican presidential nomination Tuesday, holding off former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to complete the Iowa-New Hampshire double.
With just 18% of the expected vote in, Trump led Haley by under 10 percentage points — a smaller margin than most polls suggested he would win by entering primary day.
Trump, 77, came into the Granite State contest fresh off defeating Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis by nearly 30 points in last week’s Iowa caucus.
After his initial win, the former president was further boosted by more endorsements — including from DeSantis after the Sunshine State leader dropped out of the race Sunday.
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As in Iowa, the former president’s camp intended to leave nothing to chance, with Trump himself telling his supporters to turn out in large numbers because “margins are important” and back-to-back blowouts would send a message of “unity” in the GOP.
Trump also flooded New Hampshire with prominent surrogates — including No. 4 House Republican Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and former presidential candidates Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy — while his campaign made hundreds of thousands of calls to boost voter turnout.
Live election results from New Hampshire
Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a rally in Laconia, New Hampshire, January 22, 2024. AFP via Getty ImagesDonald Trump signs autographs and shakes hands with supporters at the conclusion of a campaign rally in the basement ballroom of The Margate Resort on January 22, 2024. Getty Images
For Haley, New Hampshire was her best opportunity to beat out the GOP frontrunner, as some polls in January showed her within four percentage points of the former president.
The 52-year-old leaned heavily on New Hampshire’s large population of independent voters and veterans, focusing on her vision for the economy, foreign policy and her husband’s military experience.
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On primary morning, Haley’s campaign vowed to continue its fight at least through Super Tuesday on March 5, when 16 states and territories hold their nominating votes.
“After Super Tuesday, we will have a very good picture of where this race stands … Until then, everyone should take a deep breath,” campaign manager Betsy Ankney wrote in a memo.
Nikki Haley greets supporters outside a polling site at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, New Hampshire, on January 23, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, Haley’s top backer, wavered on his promises for the state, first saying the former United Nations ambassador could “win,” before arguing defeating Trump was not necessary.
On Sunday, Haley told The Post that she just wanted to be “stronger than she was in Iowa.”
“In Iowa I wanted to be strong. We did that. We started at 2%, we ended at 20%,” Haley said during a campaign stop in Epping.
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“In New Hampshire, I want to be even stronger than that, and in South Carolina I want to be even stronger than that. We’ll find out what ‘strong’ and ‘stronger’ is on Election Day, but that’s the goal. That’s always been the goal.”
The path forward will be an uphill climb.
Haley is not registered for the Feb. 8 Nevada caucus and is instead running in the Feb. 6 primary, meaning she is not eligible to receive delegates. She said Sunday she chose to not compete against Trump in the caucus because the Silver State was already “bought and paid” for by his campaign.
In her home state of South Carolina, meanwhile, Haley is currently polling more than 30 points behind Trump, coming in at 21.8% compared to his 52%.
Four people have died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in a New Hampshire residence, according to officials who reported that the victims were found dead on Christmas.
The Wakefield, N.H. Police Department responded to 2962 Province Lake Road for a welfare check at around 4:21 p.m. on Wednesday.
When police officers arrived, they found four people who were dead. Investigators from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office were requested to respond to the scene.
The names of the four victims, all adults, were being withheld pending next of kin notification.
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“While the investigation remains active and ongoing, at this time, investigators believe the victims died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning,” New Hampshire officials wrote in a release.
Autopsies were scheduled to be performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Thursday to confirm the cause and manner of death for each of the victims.
“State Fire Marshal Toomey would like to remind everyone of the importance of having working carbon monoxide alarms in their homes,” officials wrote. “In the event of an alarm activation, residents should immediately exit their homes and call 9-1-1. Anyone with questions about home fire and carbon monoxide safety should contact their local fire department or the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.”
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled, according to the CDC. It claims the lives of hundreds of people every year and makes thousands more ill.
Many household items including gas- and oil-burning furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills produce this poison gas.
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“Install battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home,” the CDC states. “Check CO detector batteries when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall to be sure they are functioning properly… Replace your CO detector following the manufacturer’s instructions or every 5 years. Set a reminder on your smartphone or other device calendar when you purchase and install the detector.”
Anyone with information that may help with the Wakefield investigation is urged to contact the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.
The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office was assisted at the scene by members of Wakefield Fire Rescue, the Wakefield Police Department, and the New Hampshire State Police.
Four people were found dead late Wednesday afternoon at a home in Wakefield, N.H., after an apparent carbon monoxide exposure, New Hampshire State Police said.
At 4:21 p.m., police responded to 2962 Province Lake Road for a welfare check, State Police said in a statement.
Police found multiple adults dead inside, the statement said.
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The identities of the victims were not released “pending next of kin notification,” according to the statement.
Investigators from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted at the scene, authorities said. Wakefield Fire Rescue, Wakefield Police Department, and New Hampshire State Police also provided aid at the scene, officials said.
The official causes of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Thursday, according to the statement.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.
State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey said residents should ensure they have working carbon monoxide alarms in their homes, the statement said. Residents should immediately exit their homes and call 9-1-1 when an alarm is activated, according to the statement.
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Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can be produced by household items including burning furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Some common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, described as “flu-like,” are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, the website said.
Kiera McDonald can be reached at kiera.mcdonald@globe.com.
CONCORD, NH — From all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays.
We hope you have a great time with family and friends during this joyous time of the year.
Unlike last year, when it was kinda dreary due to not having any snow, there is a little bit on the ground this year, thankfully. It’s incredible how something as simple as a little white stuff on the ground can make the mood festive.
If you need some posts and videos to get into the holiday spirit, check out some of the ones I put together this season:
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The Concord Nativity scene outside the Statehouse on Christmas Eve 2024. Credit: Tony Schinella
This year, I ran out of time and did not get to put together a Christmas lights video. I ran out of time last year, too. However, I’ll make a mental note to do one in 2025; it’s work to put together, but they are a lot of fun.
If you haven’t seen the prior videos, check them out here:
Christmas Lights in Concord 2022:
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Christmas Lights in Concord 2021:
Christmas Lights in Concord 2020, Part 1:
Christmas Lights in Concord 2020, Part 2:
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I’ll have a few “Best Of” posts next week, and we can then welcome in the New Year.
Until then, stay safe and enjoy your time with your family and friends.
Got a news tip? Could you send it to tony.schinella@patch.com? View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.
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