Campaign

Billionaire Haley donor waiting for New Hampshire results to give ‘major gift’

by TheHill.com - 01/18/24 12:25 PM ET

Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event in Hollis, N.H., Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

One of GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s largest financial backers said he will wait for the results of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary to determine whether he will continue his support of the former U.N. ambassador with a “major gift” for her campaign.

Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone told the Financial Times Thursday that Granite State success is a prerequisite for further funding.

“If she doesn’t get traction in New Hampshire, you don’t throw money down a rat hole,” he said.

Langone added that he is prepared to give “a nice sum of money” in support of her effort.

The billionaire retail magnate endorsed Haley early last month, adding that former President Trump’s time has “come and gone.”

Haley has faced increased scrutiny after Monday’s close, third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses. Polls show her with strong support in New Hampshire but still trailing Trump by 10 points, according to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ average of polls.

Big money donors for Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have been reluctant to double down on financial backing as the campaign rolls on, with the former president still holding a commanding lead over the field.

“Right now, if I had to bet, I think the two candidates will be Biden and Trump,” Langone told Financial Times, adding that he would “probably” vote for Trump over President Biden.

He said that while he believes Trump’s focus “was himself” during his first presidency, the former president “did some pretty good things.”

“My problem is we’re going to need a very competent manager, as well as a president-statesman,” Langone continued. ”I am supporting Nikki Haley because I think she comes [as] close to what you could hope for as anybody out there.”

Trump remains popular among GOP voters, despite numerous civil and criminal legal cases against him. He holds a significant lead over both Haley and DeSantis in national polling, where he has about 62 percent support, according to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ.