Nikki Haley’s not surging: Poll

The authoritative polling and analysis outlet 538 is throwing cold water on the pro-Nikki Haley punditry that followed the second Republican primary debate.

Story after story suggested that the former United Nations ambassador was “surging” after her strong performance, and some polls showed her catching up to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) nationally and passing DeSantis in Iowa and New Hampshire.

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But in an analysis for Thursday’s third GOP debate, 538 found that nationally, Haley not only trails former President Donald Trump and DeSantis but that a remarkable number of voters have “no opinion” of her.

In a joint effort with the Washington Post and Ipsos, 538 found that 36% of Republicans have no opinion of Haley. For Trump, it’s 2.2%, and DeSantis, 20.8%.

The survey also asked Republicans to name who they were considering voting for in the primaries and even allowed them to pick more than one candidate. 538’s analysis said, “We think [that] gives a more nuanced picture of the race.”

Trump leads with 65.5%, followed by DeSantis at 48.5% and Haley at 34%.

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And looking back at the second debate, 538 found that Republican voters felt that DeSantis won, not Haley. “DeSantis was again the clear winner,” they said, with 33% picking the governor and 18% Haley.

As they look to tonight’s debate, Republicans said that they have high expectations for both DeSantis and Haley.