Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley promised “this race is far from over” after former President Trump was projected to beat her in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday.
“What a great night. God is so good,” Haley exclaimed to a crowd of supporters after major outlets called the race in Trump’s favor.
“New Hampshire is first in the nation. It is not the last in the nation. This race is far from over. There are dozens of states left to go,” Haley said in remarks after major outlets called the race in Trump’s favor.
“And the next one is my sweet state of South Carolina,” added the former Palmetto State governor.
Haley congratulated Trump after his projected victory, saying he “earned it,” but she touted her showing in the Granite State.
Despite Haley coming in second, her watch party in Concord felt more like a victory celebration. Chants of “Nikki, Nikki, Nikki” from supporters waving campaign signs could be heard throughout the crowded watch party.
Haley was joined on stage by her daughter, son, and son-in-law.
With 30 percent of votes reported after Decision Desk HQ projected Trump to win the critical early state contest Tuesday, Haley was trailing the former president by around roughly 10 points.
“Today, we got close to half of the vote. We still have a ways to go, but we keep moving up,” Haley said.
Polling averages from The Hill and Decision Desk HQ showed Trump with a roughly 14-point lead over Haley before the Granite State voted.
The former U.N. ambassador was expected to be more competitive in New Hampshire than in Iowa, where she came in at a distant third place in last week’s caucuses. Haley has been faring well among independents and Republicans weary of the former president in polling and was expected to see a boost from unaffiliated voters, who are allowed to cast ballots under New Hampshire’s system.
Some have raised questions about whether Haley’s campaign has the momentum to keep battling Trump as he continues to lead by double digits in national polling, but Haley’s campaign has projected optimism.
A memo from her campaign earlier Tuesday stressed that “we aren’t going anywhere” and pointed toward South Carolina’s February race and Super Tuesday in March.
On Wednesday, Haley will travel to South Carolina where she will hold a rally in Charleston. Her campaign is also launching a $4 million ad buy in the state.
“South Carolina elected Nikki as Governor twice, against the odds,” the memo reads. “As a state representative, she beat the sitting Lieutenant Governor, the sitting Attorney General, and a popular member of Congress. The people of South Carolina KNOW Nikki’s strong conservative record because they lived it.”