Donald Trump emerged as the victor in the South Carolina primary, defeating rival Nikki Haley and solidifying his position as the frontrunner for the Republican Party’s nomination in 2024. Despite being a former governor of South Carolina, Haley was expected to face an uphill battle against Trump, who held a significant lead in polls leading up to the primary.
With 33% of ballots reported, Trump secured 59% of the vote, while Haley trailed behind with 40%, according to data from the Associated Press. While this outcome was predicted by many, Haley surprised observers by announcing that she would remain in the GOP race at least until after the Super Tuesday primaries on March 5. She cited Americans’ dissatisfaction with the leading candidates and expressed her commitment to restoring people’s faith in politics.
Political analysts speculate on the reasons behind Haley’s decision to stay in the race despite the overwhelming support for Trump. Some believe that she wants to position herself as the main Republican alternative to Trump in 2024 or even as a potential front-runner for the GOP in 2028. Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at Virginia’s University of Mary Washington, suggests that Haley may be anticipating a health crisis or conviction for Trump in his ongoing legal battles, which could lead Republicans to doubt his nomination and seek an alternative.
Jeff Gulati, a professor of political science at Bentley University, believes that Haley is also using her campaign to build an organization and gain a head start for a potential run in 2028. He highlights Trump’s age and legal issues as potential factors that could force him to drop out of the race, leaving Haley as the only viable candidate.
Despite these speculations, Haley remains a longshot for the 2024 Republican nomination. Many analysts have shifted their focus to a possible rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden in the upcoming general election. Betting markets tracked by RealClearPolitics currently give Haley a 6% chance of becoming the GOP nominee, with some experts believing that even 1% may be a more accurate representation.
It is clear that Haley faces an uphill battle in her quest for the nomination. However, her decision to remain in the race shows her determination and commitment to making a difference. As the 2024 election cycle progresses, it will be interesting to see how Haley’s campaign evolves and whether she can overcome the overwhelming support for Trump within the Republican Party.
