Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign will book $10 million in TV, radio and digital advertising in Iowa and New Hampshire as she looks to nab the No. 2 position in the GOP primary race from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The ads will be booked for the first week of December, according to the campaign.
The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for Jan. 15, followed by the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 23.
Polls have shown the former South Carolina governor and Mr. DeSantis are neck and neck.
A poll released this month by NBC News and the Des Moines Register from Iowa showed Ms. Haley and Mr. DeSantis tied for second with 16%, behind former President Donald Trump’s 43%.
“Nikki Haley’s momentum and path to victory are clear,” campaign manager Betsy Ankney said in a statement. “Nikki’s campaign is built to win the primary against Donald Trump, and all polls show she is by far the strongest Republican against Joe Biden in the general.”
The release pointed out that Ms. Haley’s campaign ended the third quarter with $9.1 million in cash, while Mr. DeSantis finished with $5 million.
“While Ron DeSantis is desperately staking his entire campaign on Iowa, Nikki Haley will at least double DeSantis’ cash-strapped advertising in Iowa alone, while DeSantis has abandoned New Hampshire advertising altogether,” the release said.
A poll from 538, Washington Post and Ipsos found 34% of viewers thought Ms. Haley performed the best at last week’s debate in Miami, while Mr. DeSantis came in second with 11%.
The DeSantis campaign responded, with his communications director, Andrew Romeo, saying in a statement, “No amount of money will be enough for Nikki Haley to conceal her pro-China, pro-Gaza aid, pro-gas tax and pro-Hillary record. As Americans look behind the curtain, they will see she does not have the extensive record of conservative achievements that Ron DeSantis boasts.”
He added it’s “clear there’s no way” Ms. Haley will beat Mr. Trump.
“Ron DeSantis has the best combination of endorsements, ground game and message in the early states, which is why the former president continues to attack only him,” Mr. Romeo said. “We are confident the Iowa voters will see who will best represent them and their values.”
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.