CHARLESTON, S.C. — Former President Donald Trump defeated Nikki Haley in South Carolina’s GOP presidential primary on Tuesday, putting him on a path to clinch the Republican nomination as early as next month.
The loss for Haley is a blow in her home state as Trump won by 20 points, ten points fewer than polls had predicted. Trump looks to be on a path to clinch the GOP nomination by next month despite being criminally charged in four separate jurisdictions.
“There has never been a spirit like this,” Trump said at his victory party in Columbia. “I have never seen the Republican Party so unified.”
Haley, who served as governor of South Carolina before she became Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, has yet to win a contest but vowed to stay in the race despite the loss Saturday.
“Today, in South Carolina, we’re getting around 40% of the vote,” she said. “I’m an accountant. I know 40% is not 50%. But I also know 40% is not some tiny group. There are huge numbers of voters in our Republican primaries who are saying they want an alternative.”
Haley will be subjected to increased pressure to suspend her campaign from Republicans so the party can rally around Trump.
“I’m a woman of my word. I’m not giving up this fight when a majority of Americans disapprove of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. South Carolina has spoken. We’re the fourth state to do so. In the next 10 days, another 21 states and territories will speak. They have the right to a real choice, not a Soviet-style election with only one candidate. And I have a duty to give them that choice,” she said.
Trump also faces some trouble moving forward as Republican primary voters said he would be unfit for office if he is ultimately convicted on any of his 91 criminal charges.
