Nikki Haley’s Uphill Battle: The Last Major Rival Against Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican Primary

Nikki Haley, the former two-term South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador in the Trump administration, has been the last major rival standing against former President Donald Trump in the race for the 2024 Republican nomination. One year after launching her campaign, Haley is determined to ‘bring it home’ in her home state of South Carolina, which holds its primary on February 24, 2024. However, with one week to go until the primary, Haley faces a steep uphill climb against Trump, who has been the frontrunner in the race since the beginning.

Trump’s dominance in the race is evident in his victories in the Iowa caucus, New Hampshire primary, and Nevada and U.S. Virgin Islands caucuses. His lead over Haley in South Carolina is also significant, with the latest public opinion surveys suggesting a double-digit advantage. Trump has been campaigning vigorously in the state, holding rallies and making appearances, while Haley has been campaigning just as hard, kicking off a bus tour last weekend and flooding the state’s airwaves with ads.

Despite the challenges, Haley remains optimistic, emphasizing that success in South Carolina means being competitive and closing the gap with Trump. She has been campaigning in other Super Tuesday states, such as Texas and California, to build momentum and raise funds. Haley’s campaign and an aligned super PAC have also been spending millions on ads in South Carolina, targeting Trump and touting her own record.

However, Trump enjoys the backing of South Carolina’s governor, nearly the entire congressional delegation, and scores of state lawmakers and local officials. Veteran South Carolina-based Republican consultant Dave Wilson noted that Trump’s ‘groundswell’ in the state and ‘ground forces’ give him an advantage. Wilson also pointed out that Haley is reintroducing herself to South Carolina since almost a million people have moved into the state since she was governor.

Despite the odds against her, Haley has repeatedly stated that she doesn’t need to win her home state. Instead, she focuses on being competitive and closing the gap with Trump, with the ultimate goal of making it more competitive going into Super Tuesday. Haley’s campaign has raised significant funds during her campaign swing in California and Texas, indicating her determination to stay in the race.

Longtime Republican consultant David Carney noted that people support Haley and she will raise money, but he doesn’t see a pathway for her in the race. Pointing to rules in many of the March 5 GOP contests that award the candidate who tops 50% either statewide or in congressional districts the lion’s share of delegates, Carney predicted that Super Tuesday will be painful for Haley.

In conclusion, Nikki Haley’s campaign for the 2024 Republican nomination has been an uphill battle against former President Donald Trump. With one week to go until the South Carolina primary, Haley faces a steep climb to knock off Trump in her home state. Despite the challenges, Haley remains determined to be competitive and close the gap with Trump, with the ultimate goal of making it more competitive going into Super Tuesday. Only time will tell if Haley’s determination and hard work will pay off and if she can make a dent in Trump’s lead in the race for the Republican nomination.