CHARLESTON, S.C. — Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley vowed to remain in the Republican presidential race after losing her home state's primary on Saturday.
The Associated Press decided Trump's race the moment South Carolina polls closed at 7 p.m. ET. take the lead Haley 60.4% vs. 39% at time of writing. Despite losing the first five races for the Republican nomination in 2024, Haley vowed in a speech at a watch party event in Charleston that she is not going anywhere. (Related: Trump defeats Nikki Haley in home state primary)
“We know that 40% is not 50%, but we also know that 40% is not a small group. There are a lot of voters in the Republican primary who say they want an alternative,” Haley said. told supporters. “I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I will not continue running. I am a woman of my word.”
Hoping for a big turnout in her home state, Haley sought to remind former voters of her policy accomplishments as governor ahead of Election Day.of republican party He served as governor from 2011 to 2017 before serving in the Trump administration as ambassador to the United Nations, and previously served three terms in the state Legislature.
A CBS News/YouGov survey of likely Republican primary voters released on February 12th found that a majority of South Carolinians weighed Haley's roots in her home state before voting. I wasn't there. The same poll found that 89% consider national issues rather than state issues.
“Even though the majority of Americans do not support both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, I am not going to give up on this fight,” Haley continued. “South Carolina has spoken and we are the fourth state to speak. Over the next 10 days, 21 more states and territories will meet. They have a real choice. . It’s not a Soviet-style election with just one candidate.”
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Supporters at Haley's watch party in South Carolina said they were happy to see Haley remain in the race despite her loss to Trump, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation. told.
“Obviously, I'm disappointed with this result. I thought it would be a little closer,” Jeff Heikkinen, a 41-year-old golf caddy who lives in Ridgeville, told DCNF. “I'm very excited that she's staying. Like she's said several times, it's up to the country to decide, right? Trump is not the incumbent. So I'm happy and happy that she's staying. I’m proud of you.”
The Republican, who previously voted for Trump, said he hopes Haley can resolve the nation's divisions.
Rachel Geilenfeld, 40, who works in the energy industry, came to the Palmetto State from Iowa to volunteer for Haley's campaign. A lifelong Republican, he wrote about his preferred candidate in previous presidential elections, telling DCNF, “I have never voted for Trump, and I never will.”
“I'm really happy she's staying. We need her to keep fighting,” Geilenfeld said. “We need a new generation of leadership. It's time to turn the page and get through this mess. The majority of Americans want two 80-year-old white men running for president. No. We need fresh faces.”
Diane Lafferty, a 67-year-old real estate agent who came from Delaware for the watch party, is supporting Haley against both Trump and Biden.
“Well, she's hanging in there. She's tough and I think she's going to do well,” Rafferty, who voted for Biden last election but considers herself an independent voter, told DCNF. Ta.
Haley finished third in Iowa and second in New Hampshire and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but lost in the Nevada primary to a “none of these candidates” option that did not count toward the delegate count.
The next nomination contest is Michigan, where Trump currently beats Haley 66.7% to 15%, according to RealClearPolitics. average. The former president also holds large leads in key Super Tuesday states, including Alabama, California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. according to According to a Morning Consult survey released on February 7th.
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