Nikki Haley has secured her first victory in the 2024 Republican primary, winning in the District of Columbia. This win temporarily interrupts Donald Trump’s streak of victories in GOP voting contests, although Trump is expected to gain more delegates in the upcoming Super Tuesday races.
Despite initial losses, Haley has expressed her commitment to remaining in the race, emphasizing the importance of providing voters with an alternative to Trump. The Associated Press declared Haley the winner after D.C. Republican Party officials released the results, with Haley securing all 19 delegates at stake.
Haley’s victory in Washington, a heavily Democratic jurisdiction, is notable, as only about 23,000 registered Republicans reside in the city. Trump’s campaign responded to Haley’s win with sarcasm, congratulating her as the “Queen of the Swamp” in a statement.
Following her victory, Haley continued her campaign efforts, holding a rally in the nation’s capital before proceeding to North Carolina and other states with Super Tuesday primaries. She aims to engage with voters across the political spectrum and has positioned herself as a candidate capable of appealing to moderate and independent-leaning voters.
In South Carolina’s GOP primary, Haley garnered support from a significant portion of self-described moderates, whereas Trump performed better among conservatives. This trend reflects Haley’s appeal to a broader range of Republican voters.
While Trump won the D.C. primary during his 2020 reelection bid, Haley’s victory indicates a shift in support within the Republican Party. Previous centrist Republican candidates, such as Marco Rubio, John Kasich, Mitt Romney, and John McCain, have also won the city’s primaries on their way to securing the GOP nomination in past elections.