[ad_1] Voting is now underway in a special election in the US which could see Donald Trump all but lock in being the Republican Party candidate for
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Voting is now underway in a special election in the US which could see Donald Trump all but lock in being the Republican Party candidate for US President.
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is now the only person who stands in the way of him capturing the coveted Republican presidential ticket.
Mr Trump and Ms Haley are the two remaining names in contention at the New Hampshire Primary, held on Tuesday US time, after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dropped out after the former president’s runaway win in the Iowa Caucus last week.
On polling day in the north east state, situated between Boston and the Canadian border, both candidates accused each other of being a “loser”.
Trump could wrap it up today
If Ms Haley, 52, fares well, and predictions are she will do much better in New Hampshire than Iowa, she may remain in the Republican race.
Ms Haley has been bullish saying even if she loses in New Hampshire she will continue the fight and contest upcoming primaries in other states.
The money is still on Mr Trump winning – the question is by how much.
But if Ms Haley polls badly in New Hampshire she may decide to drop out altogether.
That would set up a rerun of the 2000 election between Mr Trump, 77, and Mr Biden, 81.
A Globe/Suffolk/NBC10 poll had Ms Haley 19 points behind in New Hampshire on the eve of the election.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green – a far right cheer leader for Mr Trump – has said she believes Mr Trump will grab the presidential nomination if he can win 55 per cent or more of the vote in New Hampshire.
“I think this will be the end of the Republican primary,” she told the BBC.
Both call each other a ‘loser’
The results are expected to be announced from around 7pm on Tuesday in New Hampshire (11am Wednesday, ADST).
Registered Republicans and independents can vote in the New Hampshire Republican primary.
The results will determine how many of New Hampshire’s 22 delegates to the Republican National Convention (RNC) in July vote for Mr Trump and how many for Ms Haley. The RNC will formally decide who will run for president for the Republicans.
Ms Haley and Mr Trump both traded accusations of each other being “losers” as polls opened on Tuesday.
“The reality is, who lost the House for us? Who lost the Senate? Who lost the White House?” Ms Haley told reporters.
“Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Donald Trump.”
Mr Trump hit back with exactly the same claims.
“If you want a losing candidate who puts America last, vote for Nikki Haley,” he said in his closing arguments at a small but lively rally in the village of Laconia, in ten centre of the state.
“But if you want a president who puts America first every single time, you’re going to vote for Donald J. Trump.”
Robocall scandal
The primary has become embroiled in scandal after the authorities in New Hampshire said they would be investigating a robo call that incorrectly claimed to come from Joe Biden.
The Democrats are also holding a primary in New Hampshire on the same day but it’s almost certain Mr Biden will be the candidate.
In the call, a voice impersonating Mr Biden urges voters not to take part in the primary.
“Although the voice in the robocall sounds like the voice of President Biden, this message appears to be artificially generated based on initial indications,” the Attorney-General’s Office said.
“These messages appear to be an unlawful attempt to disrupt the New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election and to suppress New Hampshire voters.”
“New Hampshire voters should disregard the content of this message entirely,” it added.
In his convention-smashing mission to take revenge against Mr Biden and win a second White House term, Mr Trump has defied the fallout from two impeachments, four criminal trials awaiting him and lawsuits for fraud and sexual assault.
While Ms Haley has questioned his mental fitness and warned that another Trump presidency would bring “chaos,” polls indicate her efforts will provide little more than a bump in the road in New Hampshire.
Ms Haley sounded defiant on Tuesday as voting started, telling Fox News that “political elites are saying we all need to coalesce around him. This is not a coronation. This is a democracy”.
“We are going to have a strong showing today here in New Hampshire.”
Mr Trump had a crushing victory in the first contest in Iowa last week, with Ms Haley a distant third, and no Republican has ever won both opening contests and not eventually gained the nomination.
What was once a crowded field of 14 candidates narrowed to a one-on-one match-up on Sunday after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dropped out, following a second-place finish in Iowa.
He and Mr Trump were in a comparatively close race until the ex-president’s multiple court indictments began to drop in March, compelling his supporters to close ranks.
Scott Manninen, a 48-year-old production manager, told AFP at a campaign event in the village of Hollis on Monday that the legal issues would not stop him from voting for Trump.
“I think it’s a lot of smoke and mirrors — just trying to bash him and trying to get it so that people go against him,” he said.
– with AFP.
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