Nikki Haley scored her first victory of the 2024 campaign by winning the Republican primary in the District of Columbia, breaking Donald Trump's streak in the GOP voting contests, at least for now. Despite early setbacks, Haley's commitment to stay in the race was clear, even though she didn't single out any primary she felt assured of winning. After losing in her home state of South Carolina, Haley remained steadfast, believing voters in upcoming contests deserved an alternative to Trump, who has been dominating the campaign so far.
The Associated Press declared Haley the winner after D.C. Republican Party officials released the results, giving her all 19 delegates at stake. This victory marked a historic moment, as she became the first woman to win a Republican primary in history. Washington, known for its strong Democratic leanings, has only about 23,000 registered Republicans, and Democrat Joe Biden won the district in the 2020 general election with a whopping 92% of the vote.
Trump's campaign reacted to Haley's win with a sarcastic congratulations, dubbing her "Queen of the Swamp" by lobbyists and DC insiders. However, Haley remained undeterred, continuing her campaign with a rally in the nation’s capital before heading to North Carolina and other states for the Super Tuesday primaries. During her rally, she playfully challenged the notion that there are no Republicans in D.C., engaging with over 100 supporters inside a hotel ballroom.
While campaigning as a staunch conservative, Haley has garnered more support from moderate and independent-leaning voters. In South Carolina’s GOP primary, four in 10 of her supporters identified as moderates, compared to only 15% for Trump. Conversely, 8 in 10 of Trump's supporters described themselves as conservatives, highlighting the different voter bases each candidate appeals to.
Login