Walker’s absence from the state has cost him in the polls. As recently as April, he led the field in New Hampshire, with support from close to a quarter of those surveyed. But in the most recent Suffolk University/USA Today poll released Tuesday, Walker was in the third place behind Donald Trump and Jeb Bush.

“New Hampshire people want to be able to look you in the eye, shake your hand and ask you the question,” said Sharon Carson, a Republican state senator from Londonderry who is backing Fiorina. “And if you can’t do that, you’re not going to do well here.”

For some in New Hampshire, a moment during Walker’s last trip to the state in May serves as a metaphor for his campaign. Walker spoke to 500 Republicans aboard a 23-foot cruise boat as it sailed around Lake Winnipesaukee, but what some attendees remember is that the captain had to return to shore, mid-trip, to pick him up since he arrived late and, initially at least, missed the boat.

“I’ve had a lot of conversations with people here about: ‘Where is Scott Walker?’” said Jamie Burnett, a GOP strategist from Concord who just signed on as a supporter with Bush’s campaign. “I personally was interested in him early on but he just hasn’t been here.”