Can Indian-origin Nikki Haley beat Donald Trump in the Republican primaries?

It isn’t just New Hampshire where Haley is gaining momentum though. Apart from Trump, she is the only candidate who has been steadily rising in the national polls since July and now stands at number three, just below Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been consistently losing support. Moreover, in two more states, Iowa and South Carolina, Haley has seen a rise in popularity.

Here is a look at why the former South Carolina governor is witnessing a surge and if she can beat Trump in the primaries.

Why is Nikki Haley gaining momentum?

The emergence of Haley in the primary race as “the Trump alternative that has the most momentum” is partly due to the first three GOP debates, Veteran Iowa strategist David Kochel told ABC News. She gave performances that were widely appreciated, including by likely primary voters, he added. (DeSantis also performed very well in those post-debate polls.)

Besides this, she has maintained a “delicate balance” in her criticism of Trump as she tries to build a coalition which also includes his supporters, the ABC News report said.

For instance, in one town hall, she called Trump the “right president at the right time” but also pointed out that he was an agent of chaos and it was time for the country to move on.

Haley’s rise in polls can also be attributed to the kind of endorsements she has been able to clinch around the country recently. Her numbers in New Hampshire witnessed a boost after earlier in December, the state’s four-time Republican Governor Chris Sununu endorsed her. She has also got an endorsement from Americans for Prosperity, which is one of the most influential American conservative organisations.

The former governor has managed to get support from crucial donors like Keith Rabois, an American technology executive, who earlier backed DeSantis.

Can Haley beat Trump?

Despite the gains, Haley is trailing far behind Trump in the national polls. According to the December New York Times-Siena College Poll, 63% of likely primary voters preferred Trump while Haley got 12% of support. DeSantis stood at third position with 9%.

To put up a formidable challenge against Trump, she will have to widen her support base. A recent Reuters report said Haley needs the backing of more voters who live in rural areas, are middle- or working-class, or lack college degrees. Her chances will also improve if other candidates like DeSantis drop out of the race. This “would allow her to try to knit together the anti-Trump factions within the party, while also perhaps stealing some of Trump’s voters,” the report added.

However, then too, Haley would need a massive swing in Republican voter opinion.