Columbia: Donald Trump easily defeated Nikki Haley in South Carolina’s Republican contest on Saturday, extending his winning streak as he marches toward a third consecutive presidential nomination and a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.
The former president had been widely favoured to win the Southern state, despite his litany of criminal charges and Haley’s status as a native of South Carolina who won two terms as governor.
The big win bolstered calls from Trump’s allies that Haley, his last remaining challenger, should drop out of the race. But Haley, who outperformed expectations, defiantly insisted she would fight on at least through “Super Tuesday” on March 5, when Republicans in 15 states and one US territory will cast ballots. “I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I will continue to run for office,” she said. “I am a woman of my word.”
Trump won with 59.8% support against 39.5% for Haley with 99% of the expected vote tallied, according to Edison Research. In recent days Haley had sharpened attacks on Trump, questioning his mental acuity and warning voters he would lose the election to Biden. But there is scant evidence that a majority of Republican voters is interested in any standard bearer except Trump. Trump has dominated all five Republican primary contests thus far - in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, the US Virgin Islands and now Haley’s home state. Trump gave his victory speech in Columbia, the state capital, minutes after the polls closed and didn’t mention Haley, claiming his party’s mantle as he looked ahead to Nov polls. “I have never seen the Republican Party so unified as it is right now,” he said.