CONCORD, N.H. — For days, the pollsters and pundits predicted a 20-point loss for Nikki Haley in New Hampshire. They were wrong. As results continue to come in, it is clear that Nikki Haley will pull off a much closer race than previously predicted.
Predictions
The Hill: Trump tops Haley by 19 points in New Hampshire: Poll
NBC Boston: Trump widens lead over Haley to 22%: NH primary poll tracking shows
New Jersey Globe: Monmouth Poll: Trump leads Haley by 18 points in New Hampshire
The Result
With 80% of votes counted, the margin between the two candidates is 11 points – a far cry from the 22 points Donald Trump was supposed to win by. The narrow result speaks volumes about Trump's weakness going forward and Haley's surprising strength.
"The political elites never learn. The same naysayers who said Nikki Haley couldn't defeat a 30-year incumbent state legislator or win the governor's race in South Carolina are the same people declaring the presidential race over after only two states have voted," said Haley communications director Nachama Soloveichik. "Nikki Haley has never taken her cues from the establishment, and she's not going to start now. Keep underestimating us — that will be fun."
Nikki Haley, Haley Campaign Press Release - Haley Defies Pollsters, Pundits, Predictions Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/370431