Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have won their respective party primaries in North Carolina, according to NBC News projections.
Trump defeated former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley by a large margin, while Biden faced no opposition on the Democratic ballot. The primaries were held on Tuesday, March 5, as part of the Super Tuesday contests.
Donald Trump, who is seeking to reclaim the White House in 2024, won 73.9% of the vote, with more than 95% of precincts reporting, and earned 62 delegates. Haley, who is challenging Trump for the Republican nomination, came in second with 23.3% of the vote, and earned 9 delegates. The remaining 2.9% of the vote went to other candidates or write-ins.
Nikki Haley, who has positioned herself as a moderate and a critic of Trump, campaigned in North Carolina over the weekend, appealing to the independent and suburban voters.
She also had the endorsement of some local leaders, such as former Governor Pat McCrory. Haley hoped to win North Carolina, which was seen as her best chance to break Trump’s winning streak and to prove her viability as an alternative candidate.
However, her efforts were not enough to overcome her main opponent’s loyal base and his strong appeal among the conservative and rural voters.
Joe Biden, now running for a second term, won 87.3% of the vote, with 99% of precincts reporting, and earned 104 delegates. No Preference, which was the only other option on the Democratic ballot, received 12.7% of the vote.
Biden faced no serious challengers in the Democratic race, as he sought to secure his party’s nomination and to prepare for the general election.
