The aftermath of Ron DeSantis’ distant second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses has prompted a strategic shift in his campaign’s focus towards New Hampshire.
Despite a thinner-than-hoped-for margin over Nikki Haley, DeSantis plans to stay in the race and is banking on Haley’s potential loss in New Hampshire to solidify a two-person race between them.
DeSantis’ campaign is actively collecting data and formulating a post-Iowa strategy, eyeing at least the South Carolina primary in late February. The campaign acknowledges a challenging fundraising environment but expresses confidence in raising enough resources to navigate through South Carolina.
In a surprising twist, DeSantis now finds himself rooting for former President Donald Trump to win New Hampshire, aligning with the historical trend where no Republican has lost the nomination after winning both Iowa and New Hampshire. The campaign acknowledges the difficulty but remains hopeful of a sustained fight against Trump.
DeSantis’ limited investment in New Hampshire reflects a focus on South Carolina, where the campaign believes it has a better chance. Despite skepticism from some quarters, DeSantis’ team envisions a path to the nomination through an extended one-on-one battle with Trump across the country.
Critics argue that DeSantis’ approach requires him to endure lean times and work towards helping Trump defeat Haley. Some allies admit that tough decisions about the campaign’s future may need to be addressed, but DeSantis remains committed to staying in the race.
The DeSantis camp portrays Nikki Haley’s third-place finish in Iowa as a setback, emphasizing her high spending per vote and framing her as inconsistent on conservative issues. The campaign projects a two-person race emerging in the coming weeks, with DeSantis positioned as a formidable challenger.
However, internal deliberations reveal concerns about DeSantis’ team lacking individuals willing to convey hard truths about the challenges ahead. While Haley aims to paint DeSantis as a nuisance, some believe the fight may not be worth continuing.
Amid fundraising challenges, DeSantis plans to target Florida-based donors, particularly lobbyists and their clients. The campaign acknowledges the unconventional funding strategy but seeks support from local sources.
DeSantis’ decision to head directly to South Carolina after Iowa indicates a strategic move to gain an early advantage while Trump and Haley battle for New Hampshire. The campaign remains optimistic about its prospects in the Palmetto State, aiming to capitalize on a potential week’s jump on the competition.
