The start to this election’s cycle has proven fatal for the Republican candidates, with just two remaining. Both the former President Trump, and his Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley are still in the race despite Haley polling at nearly half the rate of Trump.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis surprised his supporters earlier this month by abruptly dropping out of the race just ahead of the New Hampshire primary. He has since endorsed Trump for the party nomination.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson is Haley’s only former running mate to endorse her.
Among her impressive list of endorsements is the former Ohio Senator Rob Portman, who retired in 2022 citing concerns over hyper partisanship in the legislature.
The second Republican debate of 2024 was set to be held Jan. 21, but was canceled because Trump declined participation. With only one other candidate in the running, the debate would have lacked an opponent for Haley to engage with.
Unless Trump agrees to a debate, there will not be another before the Presidential Debates between the GOP nominee and incumbent President Biden.
The former President has however stayed busy with his ensuing defamation trial with Journalist E. Jean Carroll. She was awarded a whopping $83.3 million this week at the end of the trial, which is just one of the trials Trump has been fighting amidst his campaign.
Trump was found guilty of having defamed the credibility of Carroll in 2019 after she accused him of sexually assaulting her. In total, Trump is currently facing 91 separate state and federal charges for his various crimes.
Despite his legal troubles, the President has continually polled with an approximate 50% among Republican voters. In fact, a few polls saw increases in approval following the settlement of the defamation trial.
Thus far, only Iowa and New Hampshire have held their primaries, but February promises to host its own bout of surprises as the electoral season marches on.
A full list of state primaries and caucuses by date can be found here.
Ohio’s primary will be held on March 19, just after Super Tuesday and only months ahead of the July Republican National Convention. The Democratic National Convention has been set for mid August.
In addition to his current civil suits, Trump is expected to fight his disqualification from the Colorado primary ballot in a case which the Supreme Court will hear arguments for in early February.
The case alleges that Trump was unconstitutionally booted from the ballots in multiple states. These states have argued legal grounds on both the 10th Amendment and concerns over Trump’s indictments in a federal trial concerning the Jan. 6 insurrection.
During this time, Haley has remained committed to her bid and has not shown any sign of a potential drop out. If she won the nomination, she would be the first woman leading the Republican ticket, as well as the first woman of color to lead a presidential ticket in either party.
One thing can be said for certain; this election cycle has been expectedly unexpected. In November, voters may see a 2020 rematch, unless Haley manages to sway a significant portion of her party, making history for her and the GOP.
