Payam Javan: In a significant victory, former President Donald Trump emerged triumphant in the New Hampshire Republican primary election on Jan. 23, defeating former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley. The win dashed Haley’s hopes for an upset in a state where she had polled well previously. New Hampshire’s primary has historically been a crucial test for Republican presidential hopefuls.

Trump enjoyed a substantial 17-point lead over Haley in the polls leading up to the election, but the landscape changed when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis exited the race and endorsed Trump. This shift turned the GOP primary into a two-person contest, with other candidates like Vivek Ramaswamy dropping out and endorsing Trump.

Haley’s candidacy aimed at attracting independent and Democratic voters in the “Live Free or Die” state proved challenging, as Trump’s support remained strong. Even if Haley won in New Hampshire, doubts lingered about her ability to gain sufficient traction in subsequent early-primary states, as noted by political commentators like former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.