Staff Reports
New Hampshire is suddenly on the Trump campaign’s radar as they see potential gains in a state that hasn’t favored Republicans since George W. Bush was elected in 2000. While Democrats have pounced on the chance to reassure themselves with the notion that New Hampshire remains a “blue state,” the Trump campaign is gearing up for a serious battle in the Granite State. With only four electoral votes, the state may seem small, but it could be pivotal in a tight election year.
Current electoral projections show Vice President Kamala Harris leading with 273 electoral votes to Trump’s modest 265. If Trump manages to flip New Hampshire, it could swing the election back in his favor, taking Harris from hitting the champagne bottles to scrambling for a recount. The state is currently regarded as toss-up territory, inching close enough that even the most die-hard liberals may want to start sweating. Recent polls indicate Harris holds a 5.0% lead—a far cry from Biden’s 7.2% victory in 2020, which underscores the tightening grip of the Republicans on this territory.
Trump campaign eyes New Hampshire as Harris visits to make her economic pitch https://t.co/DnGPRDcxO7 via @JustTheNews
— American Brown Chick (@Mrsmmtbeauty) September 5, 2024
Republicans are viewing Harris’s recent visit as a sign of vulnerability in a state that’s been reluctant to swing red. They cracked jokes in press releases about her lack of commitment to Democratic principles, questioning why she would spend time in a state that traditionally leans Democratic. The Trump camp highlighted the struggles of small business owners, rightfully arguing that economic conditions under the Biden-Harris regime have sent costs soaring—making it tougher for Granite Staters to make ends meet. If business owners are complaining about the economy, is it really a surprise that she’s making the rounds?
Trump himself didn’t hold back on social media, lamenting the astronomical cost of living in New Hampshire, where energy bills are suffocating, and housing has become a luxury few can afford. He’s targeting some of the key issues to stoke frustration among constituents who might be feeling the pinch. It’s almost as if she thought she could charm her way back into the hearts of voters with a quick pitch, but their eyes are wide open to the realities of her administration’s policies.
To add insult to injury, the Democrats’ recent decision to shift the primary schedule and snub New Hampshire has not gone unnoticed by voters. Trump and his campaign representatives are ensuring the voters know it. They are convinced that the unwelcome change, which bumped New Hampshire from its prestigious first-in-the-nation slot, will have consequences. The Trump team suggests that Harris’s effort to court voters will ultimately fall flat against the growing resentment for the way she and Biden have treated the state.
Despite the historical challenges, with Republicans last winning New Hampshire nearly 25 years ago, the stars may be aligning in their favor. Governor Chris Sununu has held the governor’s mansion since 2017, and with the party rallying behind Trump, there’s a renewed energy to upend the Democrats’ grip on the state. The Trump campaign appears ready to put its money where its mouth is, bolstering its presence with offices, staff, and enthusiastic volunteers—signs that they are not overlooking New Hampshire when it matters most. There is an unmistakable buzz, and if Harris thinks she can stroll in with a cookie-cutter economic pitch, she may be in for a rude awakening come election day.
