KUALA LUMPUR – Less than a week after the humiliating defeat in the Iowa primary, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has suspended his presidential campaign, setting up a showdown between Donald Trump versus former UN ambassador Nikki Haley for the Republican nomination.
DeSantis, 45, also pledged his support for Trump ahead of the New Hampshire primary tomorrow.
“He (Trump) has my endorsement because we can’t go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear: a re-packaged form of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents,” he tweeted.
In New Hampshire, about two-thirds of DeSantis supporters are expected to back Trump rather than the more moderate Haley.
Trump is seen to hold a significant lead in other states, such as South Carolina, which is Haley’s home state.
The former US president’s campaign also thanked DeSantis, saying Haley is “the candidate of the globalists and Democrats who will do everything to stop the America First movement”.
Just last year, DeSantis was once seen as a top contender against Trump but consecutive missteps have cost him dearly.
Despite having a similar combative style, the Florida man has failed to appeal to Trump as the better candidate. He also launched his campaign six months later than Trump while burning donations at a rapid rate.
Trump stormed to victory in Iowa last week, gaining 51% of the Republican vote, leaving DeSantis with 21%, and Haley 19%.
No candidate has ever lost the race after claiming the first two states, and Trump would almost certainly clinch the Republican nomination after winning New Hampshire.
This will set up a clash in November against presumptive Democratic nominee and sitting US President Joe Biden. – January 22, 2024