GOP debate: Nikki Haley’s sobering message to Gen Z on retirement age
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley discussed her plans for Social Security during the final debate before the Iowa caucuses begin.
MANCHESTER, N.H. – With less than two weeks until the New Hampshire primary, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s momentum in the pivotal state may be slowing down, according to a new poll.
The survey, published by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center Thursday and conducted between Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, found 31% of likely Republican primary voters would support Haley, compared to 45% who would back former President Donald Trump. That’s a mere one-point increase for each candidate since the same poll was conducted in December.
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Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who dropped out of the race Wednesday, trailed behind in a distant third place at 9%. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy each tallied 6% support.
Haley’s has seen rocketing support in the Granite State in recent months, bolstered by her strong debate performances and endorsements, including from popular New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. But the new survey throws into question how much ground the former United Nations ambassador can make up in her bid to topple Trump in the final days before the state’s Jan. 23 primary.
“After a remarkable climb through the summer and fall, former Ambassador Nikki Haley seems to have leveled off and remains somewhat short of catching former President Donald Trump,” said Neil Levesque, executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at the college.
Of course, Christie’s unexpected exit from the race could provide hope for the Haley campaign. For months, polls have shown the two candidates splitting the moderate and anti-Trump votes in the state. Haley now has the chance to consolidate those supporters.
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“Haley wins voters that dislike Trump, while DeSantis and Ramaswamy appeal to voters that like the former president. 78% of Haley supporters and 100% of Christie supporters have an unfavorable impression of Trump,” Levesque said. “As a result, Christie supporters looking for a new candidate will likely find more common ground with Haley.”’
The poll is based on online survey responses from 1,194 likely New Hampshire Republican primary voters and has a margin of error of +/- 2.8%.
Two polls published earlier this week painted differing portraits of the status of the first-in-the-nation primary. A CNN and University of New Hampshire survey showed Trump with 39% support and Haley with 32% support. And a USA TODAY/Boston Globe/Suffolk University poll found Trump leading Haley 46%-26%.
The common thread: Trump is leading, and Haley has ground to make up.
Uncertainty surrounds federal child care subsidies for New Hampshire following a Trump administration announcement that has frozen funding nationwide. On Dec. 30, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill announced on X that the Administration of Children and Families will now “require a justification and a receipt or photo evidence” before it […]
A prelicensed therapist who had been practicing in Bow, N.H., was arrested Monday based on an allegation that he sexually assaulted a patient during an in-office visit, police said.
Daniel Thibeault, who faces two counts of felonious sexual assault and one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault, is being held at the Merrimack County jail pending his arraignment, according to a statement from the Bow Police Department.
Daniel Thibeault, a New Hampshire therapist arrested for alleged sexual assault of a patient.Courtesy of Bow Police Department
Thibeault had been a candidate for licensure who was subject to a supervisory agreement since May 2024, according to state records. His arrest comes after the presiding officer of the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice suspended his privileges to practice in the state in late December, citing the alleged assault.
Bow police had notified the state’s Office of Professional Licensure and Certification in early December that Thibeault was accused of sexually assaulting the patient despite her “audible demands to stop,” according to an order signed by an administrative law judge.
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The incident was reported to Bow police in August, prompting an investigation by Detective Sergeant Tyler Coady that led to a warrant being issued for Thibeault‘s arrest, police said.
Efforts to reach Thibeault for comment were unsuccessful Monday. It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney.
Police said the investigation is considered active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Coady at 603-223-3956 or tcoady@bownhpd.gov.
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
