In a noticeable change of strategy, Donald Trump's campaign appears to be redirecting its efforts away from New Hampshire, a key battleground state where the former president had previously expressed confidence. Trump has not set foot in the state since winning the GOP primary in January, and his campaign has not sent high-profile surrogates since the spring. Some of his enthusiastic supporters in the predominantly blue-leaning swing state are openly advising the campaign to concentrate its resources elsewhere.

Lou Gargiulo, co-chair of Trump's campaign in New Hampshire, emphasized that the election would be won in the seven swing states, implying that New Hampshire may not be a top priority. This marks a departure from earlier claims by Trump's campaign that they could expand their electoral map in New Hampshire as President Joe Biden's support waned. However, recent surveys have shown Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump by a significant margin in the state, causing concern among Republicans.

New Hampshire has become a symbolic representation of Trump's shrinking electoral map in his race against Harris. Race raters have shifted the state to the left, and Democrats outnumber Republicans in terms of field offices by a ratio of 17 to 1. Republicans in the state have expressed frustration at the lack of investment from the Trump campaign and the absence of high-profile visits or surrogates.

Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist and former Trump administration appointee, pointed out the stark contrast between the efforts of Democrats and Republicans in New Hampshire. He stated that while Democrats continued to make regular appearances with high-profile individuals, the Trump campaign seemed to be relying solely on institutional support. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, maintained that they were contesting New Hampshire and other blue-leaning swing states, including Minnesota and Virginia.

Nevertheless, Harris took the opportunity to solidify her lead in New Hampshire during a campaign event at a brewery, where she unveiled her new plan for small business tax breaks. She criticized Trump's positions on various issues, including taxes and abortion access, emphasizing the importance of individual freedoms. This visit by Harris was seen by Trump and his allies as a sign of Democratic concern about their standing in a state that has not voted Republican in a presidential election since 2000.

Trump, in response, portrayed Harris' visit as an admission of trouble for her campaign in New Hampshire. He pledged to return to the state before the election, calling it a crucial place for victory. However, no specific date was provided for his return. Meanwhile, his campaign has not sent high-profile surrogates since April and May, despite requests from the state GOP.

The lack of organized campaign efforts from Trump's team in New Hampshire is evident when compared to the robust operations of his rivals. Democrats have flooded the state with field offices and enlisted prominent figures such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for canvassing and fundraising events. Biden himself visited the state twice after the primary, acknowledging the importance of the state's primary process and seeking to make amends for the confusion surrounding his ballot placement.

As the race intensifies, Republicans in New Hampshire stress the necessity of greater campaign involvement in the state. They believe that personal connections, surrogate visits, and direct candidate engagement are vital for success. Critics argue that Trump's campaign's lack of investment in the state may ultimately hinder their chances of flipping it to red.

With just a few days remaining until Election Day, it remains to be seen if Trump will make a reappearance in New Hampshire. In the absence of his presence, the Biden-Harris campaign continues to actively court voters and build momentum, leveraging the state's historical blue stance and the support of influential Democratic figures.