We're just a little over a month out from the GOP presidential primary swinging into high gear. The Iowa Caucuses will kick things off on January 15. While Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has set his sights on the Hawkeye State — and secured the endorsement of Governor Kim Reynolds — former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has been focusing her efforts on New Hampshire, where the primary will take place on January 23. 

Nikki Haley is putting her chips on the center of the board in New Hampshire, a New England state where she has surged into a clear second place behind former President Trump.

Defeating the former president in the Granite State remains a long shot. Haley trails Trump by an average of 30 percentage points, but she has closed the gap in the last month.

Haley has gained about 6 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average of polls over the last month, meaning she’s picking up steam at the right time ahead of the Jan. 23 primary.

Haley received an added boost to her efforts Tuesday when she secured the endorsement of New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu. 

So thankful that the Live Free or Die governor is on our team—it doesn't get any more rock-solid than this!

Thank you @ChrisSununu for your support and friendship. We're 42 days until the primary—let's make history! https://t.co/Z3yy47zL87

— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) December 12, 2023

Late Tuesday afternoon, Sununu announced the endorsement on X/Twitter, noting: 

.@NikkiHaley is the candidate with the momentum to win and get our party back on track to delivering conservative victories across the country.She’s answered our questions and built trust.Proud to endorse Nikki Haley for President and hope you'll join me in this movement!

Haley responded, expressing her gratitude for the endorsement. 

So thankful that the Live Free or Die governor is on our team—it doesn't get any more rock-solid than this! Thank you @ChrisSununu for your support and friendship. We're 42 days until the primary—let's make history!

The endorsement comes less than a week after Haley had a disappointing showing at the fourth GOP debate. 

Still, Haley has been trending upward in the polls in recent weeks, gaining roughly six points in the RCP average nationally since October, and moving into second place in New Hampshire. 

The fact remains, however, that Haley is trailing the formidable frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, by 25 points. Can she close that gap in the next 40 days — or narrow it enough to give him a run for his money? We'll find out soon enough.