Donald Trump secured a decisive victory over Nikki Haley in the Republican contest in South Carolina on Saturday, further solidifying his momentum as he heads towards a potential third consecutive presidential nomination and a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.
Despite facing numerous criminal charges, Trump was widely expected to win in the Southern state, where Haley, a native of South Carolina and former two-term governor, had her roots.
The outcome bolstered calls from Trump’s supporters for Haley, his sole remaining challenger, to withdraw from the race.
However, Haley, who exceeded expectations based on opinion polls, remained resolute, vowing to continue her campaign at least until “Super Tuesday” on March 5.
Trump clinched victory with 59.8% of the vote compared to Haley’s 39.5%, according to Edison Research, though pre-election polls had indicated a much larger lead for Trump.
Commenting on her vote share, Haley remarked, “Forty percent is not some tiny group.”
Trump’s dominance extended across all five Republican primary contests held thus far, leaving Haley with a narrowing path to securing the Republican nomination.
Speaking in Columbia, the state capital, shortly after the polls closed, Trump claimed the victory for his party, looking ahead to the general election in November.
“I have never seen the Republican Party so unified as it is right now,” he declared.
Despite Haley sharpening her criticisms of Trump in recent days, questioning his mental acuity and warning of his potential loss to Biden in the general election, there is little indication that a significant portion of Republican voters seeks an alternative to Trump.
Immigration emerged as the primary concern for voters on Saturday, with 39% citing it as their top issue, overshadowing the economy, which was the priority for 33% of voters.
This underscores a potential vulnerability for Biden in the general election, as approximately 84% of voters expressed dissatisfaction with the economy.
Exit polls also highlighted Trump’s vulnerabilities, with nearly one-third of voters expressing the view that he would be unfit to serve as president if convicted of a crime.
Trump faces multiple charges, including allegations of attempting to overturn Biden’s 2020 election victory.
Analysts viewed the South Carolina contest as another significant defeat for Haley, despite her strong performance with key voter demographics.
Looking ahead to November, both Trump and Biden have intensified their rhetoric, with Trump portraying himself as the antidote to what he perceives as a decline under Biden’s leadership.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy emerged as leading contenders for Trump’s vice-presidential pick, according to a poll of conservative activists.
Haley’s focus on foreign policy, particularly Trump’s approach towards Russia, has featured prominently in her campaign strategy.
Haley had hoped for a higher turnout from independents and Democrats in South Carolina’s “open” primary, but exit poll data suggests limited success in attracting these voters.
While some Democrats, like Kelli Poindexter, voted for Haley to counterbalance Trump’s support, many Republicans, such as Kevin Marsh, remained steadfast in their backing of Trump over concerns about Haley’s perceived globalist tendencies.