South Carolina Voters Choose Between Trump and Haley in Republican Primary
It’s a crucial day for South Carolina voters as they head to the polls to cast their ballots in the Republican primary. The choice? Former President Donald Trump or their former governor, Nikki Haley. With polls closing at 7 p.m. ET, the winner will soon be announced, and both candidates are preparing to address their supporters.
South Carolina holds an open primary, allowing voters from any party to participate in the Republican primary as long as they haven’t already voted in the Democratic primary, which President Joe Biden won on Feb. 3. This means that the primary is a significant opportunity for both Trump and Haley to secure their positions in the race.
According to a February survey from USA Today and Suffolk University, Trump currently holds a commanding lead of around 30 points against Haley. This substantial advantage makes it challenging for Haley to overcome and achieve a victory in her home state.
Despite the odds, Haley has vowed to stay in the race until at least Super Tuesday on March 5, regardless of the outcome in South Carolina. Her campaign remains confident, stating that they have the necessary resources to continue the fight. After a record fundraising month in January, Haley’s campaign is financially equipped to go the distance.
To secure the nomination, Republican candidates need 1,215 delegates. Currently, Trump has 63 delegates compared to Haley’s 17. As long as Haley remains in the race, the Republican primary will continue as a two-person competition. This persistence might frustrate Trump, who would prefer a more straightforward path to victory.
Despite her determination and financial backing, Haley faces an uphill battle. Her campaign has been managing expectations, emphasizing that winning South Carolina isn’t essential to gain momentum for future primaries. While she narrowly lost to Trump in New Hampshire due to the state’s large number of undeclared voters, Haley still hasn’t claimed a victory this primary season.
In an effort to expand her support base, Haley has called on anyone who didn’t vote in the state’s Democratic primary to show up and vote for her. This strategy aims to attract undecided Democrats and Independents. However, South Carolina’s Democratic electorate is primarily composed of Black voters, a demographic that Haley has struggled to gain traction with.
On the other hand, Trump enjoys a strong foundation in South Carolina. In addition to his polling lead, he has secured endorsements from local South Carolina GOP chapters, Governor Henry McMaster, Representative Nancy Mace, and other influential lawmakers in the state. Trump’s track record is also impressive, having won the GOP primary in 2016 and capturing 55% of the votes in 2020 against Joe Biden.
When it comes to the issues that matter most to South Carolina voters, immigration and the economy take center stage. According to the USA Today/Suffolk University poll, 42% of likely South Carolina GOP voters prioritize immigration, while 26% focus on the economy.
Trump has made immigration a central pillar of his campaign, promising to reinstate his immigration bans and execute more aggressive mass deportations than during his first term. He recently stated at the Conservative Political Action Conference that sealing the border and sending back “Joe Biden’s illegal aliens” would be his top priority.
While Trump’s extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric appeals to many of his supporters, he also worked behind the scenes to derail a bipartisan congressional border deal worth $20 billion. This move allowed him to continue attacking Biden and Haley for their immigration stances during the campaign.
Haley criticized Trump for sabotaging the bill, arguing that he shouldn’t have delayed its passage until after the election. Despite her criticism of Trump’s tactics, Haley herself has a hardline immigration record. She has pledged to defund sanctuary cities, close the border, and deport unauthorized immigrants.
Regarding the economy, South Carolinians have seen improvements under the Biden administration. The state’s unemployment rate stands at 3%, lower than the national average of 3.7% and down from 3.3% a year ago. Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has also benefited South Carolina, creating over 12,000 jobs in the electric vehicle sector.
However, both Trump and Haley have been highly critical of Biden’s economic policies. They both advocate for cracking down on trade with China and cutting taxes. Haley’s economic platform, known as the Freedom Plan, focuses on tax breaks for the middle class, supporting small businesses, and eliminating Biden’s $500 billion investment in clean energy projects that have benefited South Carolina.
Trump, on the other hand, aims to roll back Biden’s IRA and reinstate his first-term tax cuts, which largely benefited the wealthy. He also intends to impose significant tax increases on foreign goods to restrict trade with China. Trump’s previous China tariffs almost sparked a trade war, causing disruptions in the global economy and driving consumer prices higher.
As the results of the South Carolina Republican primary are revealed, it remains to be seen whether Haley can overcome Trump’s substantial lead. Regardless of the outcome, both candidates have made their positions clear on key issues such as immigration and the economy. South Carolina voters have an essential role to play in shaping the future of the Republican Party as they decide between two influential figures in American politics.