US Election 2024 Highlights: Trump Secures Resounding Victory Over Nikki Haley In South Carolina

In the crucial Republican primary in her home state of South Carolina, former US President Donald Trump has defeated Nikki Haley, his last remaining challenger in the 2024 Republican race to the White House, according to projections by Edison Research.

This victory extends Trump's winning streak as he progresses toward a potential third consecutive presidential nomination and a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

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Trump Secures Resounding Victory Over Nikki Haley

The Southern state was widely expected to favour Trump, with numerous opinion polls consistently showing him maintaining a significant lead despite facing multiple criminal charges and Haley's status as a native of South Carolina who served two terms as Governor, as reported by The Guardian.

Speaking to supporters in Columbia shortly after polls closed at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Trump highlighted the perceived unity within the Republican Party without mentioning Haley.

The outcome of the primary, heavily in Trump's favour, is likely to intensify calls from his allies for Haley to drop out of the race. Trump's dominance in all five contests so far, including in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, the US Virgin Islands, and now South Carolina, leaves Haley with little to no viable path to securing the Republican nomination, as per a US News report.

Despite the setback, Haley remained defiant, asserting earlier in the week her intention to sustain her campaign at least until "Super Tuesday" on March 5, when Republicans in 15 states and one US territory are scheduled to vote. However, it remained unclear whether Haley would achieve a stronger-than-expected share of the vote, which could potentially lend momentum to her campaign heading into Super Tuesday.

As of the early evening, Trump led with 63% of the vote compared to Haley's 36.8%, with only 2.5% of the expected vote tallied, according to Edison Research.

Haley had intensified her criticism of Trump in recent days, questioning his mental acuity and warning voters about his perceived weaknesses. However, there is little indication that Republican voters are swayed by any candidate other than Trump.

Exit polls revealed that immigration, a central focus of Trump's campaign, ranked as the top issue for voters in the Republican primary, with the economy following closely behind. Additionally, a significant proportion of voters expressed concerns about Trump's fitness to serve as president if convicted of a crime, despite his pleas of not guilty in ongoing legal cases, as reported by USA Today.

Both Trump and Biden have shifted their focus to the general election, with Trump characterizing Biden as a threat to the republic. Trump's remarks at a conservative conference near Washington underscored his determination to secure victory in November, while speculation regarding his potential vice presidential pick centred on South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Haley's hopes for a strong showing in South Carolina's "open" primary, which allows registered voters to participate, were dampened by exit poll data indicating a lack of turnout among independents and moderate Democrats. Despite efforts by some voters to influence the outcome by voting for Haley, Trump maintained a stronghold among Republican voters who cited trust as a key factor in their decision-making process.