Former President Trump maintains a significant lead over Nikki Haley in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in South Carolina, according to a recent poll. The Suffolk University/USA Today survey conducted from February 15-18 shows Trump with 63% support among likely voters in the upcoming primary, while Haley trails behind at 35%. This poll adds to the mounting evidence that Haley faces an uphill battle in her home state.
Breaking down the numbers further, the poll reveals that Trump holds a commanding 72% to 25% lead among Republicans, while Haley only maintains a narrow 53%-46% advantage among independents. Although the primary is open to all voters who have not already participated in the Democratic primary, the majority of those sampled in the poll identified as Republicans (65%), with only 28% identifying as independents. Independents played a significant role in Haley’s second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary, where she received 43% of the vote, 11 points behind Trump.
Haley has recently intensified her attacks on Trump, particularly focusing on his comments regarding Russia. She criticized his statement that he would not intervene if Russia attacked a NATO member who failed to pay its dues, accusing him of being “unhinged” when he goes off-script. Haley also condemned Trump’s silence on the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, implying that he is weak on Russia while the country remains strong.
Furthermore, Haley has criticized Trump’s distraction with legal troubles and multiple trials, arguing that he is too preoccupied to effectively lead. She has also seized on his comments mocking the absence of her husband, who is serving overseas, to highlight his history of disparaging military members. However, despite her efforts, the poll suggests that these attacks have not significantly affected Trump’s support.
Trump has consistently dominated the Republican nomination race, securing victories in the Iowa caucus, New Hampshire primary, and Nevada and U.S. Virgin Island caucuses. In South Carolina, he enjoys widespread support from the state’s governor, congressional delegation, and numerous state lawmakers and officials. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed Haley’s chances, claiming that she cannot name a single state she can win and is destined to be defeated in her own backyard.
To further bolster his campaign, Trump is set to participate in a town hall event hosted by Laura Ingraham in Greenville. The one-hour event, which will cover both domestic and international issues, will be broadcast at 7 p.m. ET. Prior to the town hall, Haley will deliver a speech in Greenville, describing the state of the race. Despite trailing behind Trump, Haley continues to emphasize her electability in the general election, pointing to polls that suggest she would be a stronger candidate against President Biden in November.
Haley’s campaign has seen strong fundraising, and she remains committed to her underdog effort. She has expressed her determination to fight for the nomination, even if it means facing challenges and setbacks along the way. Haley believes that nothing worthwhile comes easy and is willing to endure the pain to achieve success.
As the primary approaches, all eyes are on South Carolina to see if Trump can maintain his dominance or if Haley can make a significant comeback. The outcome of this race will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the Republican Party and the future of conservative politics in the United States.
