On the eve of New Hampshire’s Republican presidential primary, voters in Manchester expressed their opposition to former President Trump. Many voters said they had no desire to see Trump return to the Oval Office, with one voter stating, “Anybody but Trump.” Despite Trump’s double-digit leads over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in polls, a recent survey suggests that Haley would perform better against President Biden in a general election in New Hampshire. Some voters, like Brian from Manchester, stated that they planned to vote for Haley simply as a vote against Trump.
The 2016 election in New Hampshire was a close race, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton narrowly defeating Trump. In the 2020 election, Biden won the state by about 7%. Some voters were still undecided on who to vote for, with one voter stating that her number one priority is a ceasefire in the Middle East but there is no candidate who supports that currently. The economy was a top priority for several voters, with one voter expressing frustration at the financial struggles of the average American living paycheck-to-paycheck.
Immigration was also a top priority for some voters. One voter, Irene, who immigrated from Germany, stated that closing the border is important to her. She believes in legal immigration and wants to ensure that people enter the country through legal means. Trump is expected to hold a last-minute rally in Laconia on the night before the primary alongside his former opponents.
Overall, the sentiment among voters in Manchester, New Hampshire, is one of opposition to former President Trump. Many voters express a desire for a different candidate and plan to vote for Nikki Haley as a vote against Trump. Other top priorities for voters include the economy, immigration, and a ceasefire in the Middle East. The outcome of the primary will ultimately determine the direction of the Republican Party in New Hampshire.
