How quickly candidate fields narrow once voting begins
Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy both dropped out within a week of New Hampshire. Nikki Haley was the last major candidate to drop out, making the Republican race the fastest-narrowing competitive primary field in recent history.
Nikki Haley dropped out after Super Tuesday
Republicans
2016
1
2008
2012
2024
2
Remaining candidates
3
4
2016: Kasich and Cruz left the race within a day of each other before Trump secured enough delegates
5
6
7
8
2016: A crowded field narrowed quickly when three dropped out after Iowa and two after New Hampshire
9
10
11
120
160
40
80
0
Days since Iowa caucuses
Democrats
1
2016
2
Remaining candidates
2020: Joe Biden clinched the nomination nearly two months after Bernie Sanders dropped out
3
2008
4
2004
5
6
2020: The field narrowed significantly in the days before and after Super Tuesday
7
2020
8
9
10
11
40
80
160
120
0
Days since Iowa caucuses
Nikki Haley dropped out after Super Tuesday
Republicans
2016
1
2008
2012
2
3
Remaining candidates
2024
4
2016: John Kasich and Ted Cruz left the race within a day of each other before Trump secured enough delegates
5
6
7
8
2016: A crowded field narrowed quickly when three dropped out after Iowa and two after New Hampshire
9
10
11
40
120
160
80
0
Days since Iowa caucuses
Democrats
1
2016
2
2020: Joe Biden clinched the nomination nearly two months after Bernie Sanders dropped out
3
Remaining candidates
2008
4
2004
5
2020: The field narrowed significantly in the days before and after Super Tuesday
6
7
2020
8
9
10
11
0
40
120
160
80
Days since Iowa caucuses
Democrats
Republicans
Nikki Haley dropped out after Super Tuesday
2008
1
2016
2012
2016
2
2020: Joe Biden clinched the nomination nearly two months after Bernie Sanders dropped out
3
2008
Remaining candidates
2024
4
2016: John Kasich and Ted Cruz left the race within a day of each other before Trump secured enough delegates
2004
5
2020: The field narrowed significantly in the days before and after Super Tuesday
6
7
2020
8
2016: A crowded field narrowed quickly when three dropped out after Iowa and two after New Hampshire
9
10
11
0
40
120
160
40
120
160
80
0
80
Days since Iowa caucuses
