Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump attends a primary election night party at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, S.C., Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. © Andrew Harnik, AP

By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies

Columbia, South Carolina — Former President Donald Trump secured a resounding victory in the South Carolina Republican primary on Saturday, defeating Nikki Haley in her home state. Trump’s triumph further solidifies his path toward a third consecutive presidential nomination, setting the stage for a potential rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

Despite facing multiple criminal charges, Trump emerged as the favored candidate in South Carolina, where Haley, a native and former two-term governor, failed to garner sufficient support. With 99% of the expected vote tallied, Trump secured 59.8% support compared to Haley’s 39.5%, according to Edison Research. Pre-election statewide polls indicated Trump held an average lead of 27.6 percentage points.

The significant win is expected to amplify calls from Trump’s allies for Haley to withdraw from the race. However, Haley, who exceeded expectations in the polls, remained defiant, expressing her intent to continue campaigning at least through Super Tuesday on March 5.

“Forty percent is not some tiny group,” Haley remarked, referencing her approximate share of the vote. “There are huge numbers of voters in our Republican primaries who are saying they want an alternative.”

Trump, who dominated all five contests thus far, celebrated his victory in Columbia, the state capital. In his victory speech, he declared, “I have never seen the Republican Party so unified as it is right now,” while looking ahead to the general election in November.

Recent days witnessed heightened tensions between Trump and Haley, with the latter sharpening her attacks on Trump’s mental acuity and suggesting he would lose to Biden in the general election. Despite these efforts, there is limited evidence that a majority of Republican voters seek an alternative to Trump.

Immigration emerged as the top issue for Republican primary voters, reflecting Trump’s campaign focus. Exit polls showed 39% of voters prioritized immigration, compared to 33% who cited the economy. Approximately 84% of voters expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the economy.

However, exit polls also revealed potential vulnerabilities for Trump, with nearly one-third of voters stating he would be unfit to serve if convicted of a crime. Trump faces multiple criminal charges, with his first trial scheduled for March 25 in New York City.

As Trump and Biden pivot toward the general election, the political landscape remains charged, with both leaders framing the stakes as critical for the nation’s future. Trump characterized the election as a “judgment day” and promised “my ultimate and absolute revenge” if victorious. Meanwhile, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy emerged as favorites for Trump’s potential vice presidential pick, according to a conservative conference poll.