Washington DC – In a surprising turn of events, Nikki Haley emerges victorious over Donald Trump in the Republican primary. This marked her first win over the former president in the 2024 campaign to secure the Republican presidential candidacy. Despite facing defeat in her home state of South Carolina, Haley made history as the first woman to win a Republican primary in US history.
Haley’s win in the primary signifies a symbolic victory, considering Washington DC’s predominantly Democrat-leaning landscape with only a small Republican presence. The former US ambassador to the UN secured 62.9% of the vote, outshining Trump’s 33.2% in the capital’s primary. She will receive all 19 Republican delegates available in Washington DC, bringing her nationwide delegate count to 43, significantly trailing behind Trump’s 247 delegates.
Local party officials reported that 2,035 Republicans participated in the primary, as mentioned by the Washington Post. Haley’s campaign spokesperson, Olivia Perez-Cubas, highlighted the rejection of Trump and his chaotic administration by those closest to the dysfunction in Washington. Responding swiftly, the Trump Campaign dismissed Haley’s victory by branding her as the “Queen of the Swamp”.
Despite Haley’s triumph in Washington DC, Trump has dominated the Republican primaries and caucuses across various states. As the upcoming Super Tuesday approaches, where voters from 15 states and one US territory will nominate their candidate, Trump remains poised to gain more delegates. With the support of 874 Republican delegates at stake, Super Tuesday presents a crucial moment in the ongoing Republican campaign.
Looking ahead, Haley has committed to remaining in the race at least until March 5th, when a significant number of voters will cast their ballots on Super Tuesday. The competition intensifies as the presidential candidates strive to secure the party’s nomination for the upcoming election.