Nikki Haley’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination may not be successful, but it has provided valuable insights for President Joe Biden’s campaign. An analysis of Haley and Trump’s online donors reveals that while Trump had more donors in a greater number of zip codes, Haley had a concentrated set of 1,183 zip codes where she amassed more online donors. These zip codes represent a demographic that Biden should target in his campaign.
One notable finding is that Haley’s donations come from areas with a higher concentration of residents aged 25 and older who have bachelor’s degrees. This suggests that Haley’s supporters are well-educated individuals, and they have been contributing to her campaign despite her lack of success in the race. This group of college-educated voters who are deeply committed to Haley’s criticism of Trump could be potential voters for Biden in the general election.
While it is unclear if there is a viable path for Haley to continue in the race, her donor hotspots could serve as ground zero for the Biden campaign’s efforts to win over persuadable Republicans and independents. These donors have shown a strong disdain for Trump, and their profile aligns with the type of voter that Biden needs to attract.
One key state to focus on is South Carolina, where Haley served as governor for six years and where she currently trails Trump by double digits in the Republican primary. Despite her lack of popularity in her home state, Haley’s donors in South Carolina could still be valuable for Biden. By targeting these areas with a higher concentration of Haley donors, the Biden campaign can aim to peel off voters who are dissatisfied with Trump.
Furthermore, the analysis suggests that there is a demographic difference between Trump and Haley donors, which could have wider implications for the general election. Biden’s campaign should pay attention to these differences in order to tailor their messaging and strategy to effectively reach and persuade these potential voters.
In conclusion, Haley’s campaign may not be successful, but her trail of breadcrumbs in the form of online donors provides valuable information for the Biden campaign. By targeting the zip codes where Haley amassed more donors, particularly in areas with well-educated individuals, Biden can potentially win over persuadable Republicans and independents who are dissatisfied with Trump. These donors represent a demographic that Biden needs to attract in order to secure victory in the general election.
