The Koch network-backed super PAC backing presidential candidate Nikki Haley is reportedly poised to spend $70 million in an effort to get her a “strong showing” in Iowa behind GOP front-runner Donald Trump.
Much of the change suggests that Charles Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity hopes Haley has enough fuel to outlast 2024 rival Ron DeSantis and not recruit Trump supporters, Bloomberg reported.
But Bill Riggs, a spokesman for AFP Action told The Post that Haley could come in “second or third.”
“AFP Action is working to help Haley finish as strong as possible in Iowa and continue her momentum into New Hampshire. This will be a marathon, not a sprint,” Riggs said in a statement.
“The DeSantis team poured everything they could into Iowa. Whether Haley finishes second or third, she’ll be in a good position going into New Hampshire, South Carolina and Super Tuesday.”
Predictions of a “second or third” place finish from the Haley camp are nothing new. The former South Carolina governor recently downplayed his public expectations in Iowa, saying he only expects a “good showing” at the Jan. 15 caucus, not necessarily a win. His campaign has maintained that they are focusing on several early states, including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Meanwhile, DeSantis said he hopes to win the Hawkeye State and has poured significant resources into traveling all 99 counties.
Trump’s campaign also said they plan to win Iowa, and have a “10 for Trump” plan aimed at generating many new voters to deliver a boom.
Former UN Ambassador and 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks to Iowans during a visit to Spirit Lake on Dec. 9, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
AFP Action endorsed the former UN ambassador in late November and pledged to mobilize “thousands” of activists and grassroots leaders “to knock on doors and get people to vote,” Haley’s campaign said at the time.
The $70 million — which comes close to what President Biden’s campaign raised last quarter — is a significant boost in funding for Haley, who has been rising in the polls, but has yet to overtake DeSantis.
The former president averaged 52% in Iowa, compared to the Florida governor’s 20% and Haley’s 15.8%, according to RealClearPolitics.
Nikki Haley greets guests during a campaign stop at the Nevada Fairgrounds community building on December 18 in Nevada, Iowa. Getty Images Donald Trump speaks during a “Commit to Caucus” event for supporters in Coralville, Iowa, on Dec. 13. Reuters
The largest conservative grassroots coalition has deployed its army of door-knockers to woo voters ahead of the caucuses but has had some difficulty garnering mass support for Haley given DeSantis’ presence in the field, according to Bloomberg.
DeSantis has also struggled to gain significant traction in the polls and has repeatedly reshuffled his super PAC, Never Back Down.
But his campaign maintained they did not find Trump’s polling leaders “concerning”.
“I think what you’re going to see in Iowa is the hard work we’ve put in paid off,” campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo told The Post after the fourth Republican primary debate in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
“The reality is, we got confirmation from 42 state legislators, we have now visited all 99 districts,” he said. “Those things are things that will pay off, they will get votes.”
Haley’s campaign did not respond to inquiries from The Post.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
