In Kiawah Island, South Carolina, the political scene was abuzz on Saturday as former Governor Nikki Haley faced off against GOP frontrunner Donald Trump in the Republican primary. The stakes were high in Haley’s home state as she sought to gain momentum leading up to Super Tuesday on Mar. 5. Accompanied by her family, including her mother in a wheelchair, Haley cast her vote at a local polling place on Kiawah Island.
Despite Haley’s efforts, polls indicated a challenging road ahead. An exclusive Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll showed Trump leading Haley by a significant margin among likely Republican primary voters in South Carolina. The former United Nations ambassador faced an uphill battle to secure the upset victory she desperately needed.
Meanwhile, Trump turned his attention to the general election, spending most of the day in the nation’s capital before heading to Columbia, South Carolina, for a primary watch party in the evening. As the day unfolded, supporters on both sides prepared for an outcome that could shape the trajectory of the Republican race.
Haley, the first woman of color to be a major candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, underscored the personal significance of the primary in South Carolina. As she vowed to stay in the race regardless of the outcome, the pressure was on to energize supporters and appeal to general election voters traditionally disengaged from GOP primaries.
In a bid to secure victory, Haley actively courted South Carolina Democrats and independents to participate in the open primary, a move met with criticism from Democratic leaders. While the Democratic Party discouraged support for Haley, some individual voters, like 18-year-old Hannah James, crossed party lines to cast their ballots for the former governor over Trump.
As the primary results unfolded, the focus shifted to the implications for Haley’s political future. With historical trends favoring the South Carolina Republican primary winner as the party’s nominee, Haley faced a critical moment that could determine her path forward in the race. Despite the challenges ahead, she remained determined to see the race through to Super Tuesday, signaling a commitment to continue her campaign efforts.