Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and a Republican presidential candidate, has won her first primary contest of the 2024 campaign. She defeated former President Donald Trump in the Washington, D.C. primary, which took place over the weekend at the Madison Hotel near the center of the nation’s capital.
Haley received nearly 63 percent of the vote, according to the D.C. Republican Party, while Trump got 33 percent of the vote. She also won all 19 delegates from the district, which has a small and moderate Republican electorate.
Her victory in Washington, D.C. was expected, as the district’s Republicans are more aligned with her views than with the business mogul. Additionally, Trump performed poorly in the district in 2016, getting only 14 percent of the vote.
However, it is unlikely that Nikki Haley could still change the dynamics of the race, as her Republican opponent remains the overwhelming favorite to win the nomination. He has won every other contest so far, even in her home state, and has a loyal and enthusiastic base of supporters. He also has the advantage of incumbency, fundraising, and media attention.
All eyes are now on Super Tuesday taking place tomorrow when 16 states and American Samoa will hold primaries.
Trump is expected to dominate most of those states and extend his lead in the delegate count. The former U.N. ambassador, on the other hand, has vowed to stay in the race until the end, hoping to appeal to anti-Trump Republicans and independents.
