Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley finished in third place in the Iowa caucuses, a significant distance behind former President Donald Trump. Despite her lower standing, Haley boldly asserted that the Republican primary has now become a two-person contest as the focus shifts to New Hampshire.

Haley garnered 21,085 caucus votes, representing 19.7% of the total, placing her behind Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who secured second place with 23,420 votes or 21.2%. Trump dominated the competition, securing a majority with 56,260 votes (51%) and solidifying his frontrunner status.

Addressing her supporters at her campaign headquarters in West Des Moines, Haley expressed her confidence in taking on Trump as the primary heads to New Hampshire. She acknowledged the pundits' analysis of the results but emphasized her prospects in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and beyond, stating that Iowa has effectively narrowed the field.

However, her claims were immediately criticized by Never Back Down, a pro-DeSantis super PAC, who pointed out that Haley indeed finished third in Iowa despite her repeated assertions of being in second place.

Prior to the Iowa caucuses, Haley gained momentum in the fall months, catching up with DeSantis in both Iowa and national polls. She also surged to second place in New Hampshire, the state hosting the first primary and second overall contest in the GOP nominating calendar.

Setting her sights on the upcoming New Hampshire primary on January 23rd, Haley launched an attack against Trump in her speech, drawing unfavorable comparisons between him and President Biden. Haley highlighted their similarities, such as both being around 80 years old and contributing to the country's increasing debt.

It remains uncertain how Haley plans to secure victory, considering Trump's commanding lead in the upcoming New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries. Recent polls suggest that Haley currently holds a distant second place in both contests ahead of DeSantis.

The DeSantis campaign affirmed that the governor will continue to campaign in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and other states, emphasizing his resilience against various challenges. A senior campaign official stated that they were undeterred by the opposition and emphasized the fight ahead.

Despite the hurdles, Haley insisted that she is the best candidate to defeat both Trump in the primary and Biden in the general election. She cited polls showing her leading Biden in a hypothetical 2024 matchup and argued that a Trump nomination would make the election a toss-up.

The 2024 campaign trail continues to unfold, with candidates vying for their party's nomination and rallying supporters across the country. Stay tuned for the latest updates, exclusive interviews, and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.