If Donald Trump ever had a chance of having his march to the Republican presidential nomination sidetracked, it was going to start in New Hampshire, the famously independent first primary state.
In Tuesday’s primary election, Nikki Haley did not pull off the stunning upset win over Trump that she hoped for. But she may have exposed the former president as weaker than expected—an outcome that could prolong this 2024 primary race instead of pulling the plug on it.
While it was still early Tuesday and the exact margins won't be known for many hours, Haley looks like she'll keep the race somewhat competitive. But, soon after polls closed at 8 p.m., the Associated Press called the primary for Trump, with the former president up about eight points with 15% of New Hampshire reporting.