Politics

Haley Wins First Primary as Trump Builds Lead in GOP Race

Published MAR 4 2024

Story

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The Facts

As of Monday, a day before "Super Tuesday," former US Pres. Donald Trump leads the Republican primary nomination process with 244 delegates to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's 43.
The Associated Press
The District of Columbia's (DC) GOP primary on Sunday brought Haley's first victory of the campaign, receiving all 19 available delegates after receiving roughly 63% of the vote. Trump came second with about 33% of the overall turnout of around 2K voters.
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Sunday's primary followed Trump's win in Idaho on Saturday, receiving 34K votes (about 85%) compared to Haley's 5K votes (about 13%) in the state's caucus.
Idaho Caucus
On the same day, Trump was also declared the winner of Missouri's Republican caucus, with the state's GOP affirming that the former president "swept all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis."
Attorney General of Missouri,
Trump gained an additional 51 delegates from the Missouri caucus. To win, a candidate must receive 1,215 delegates.
The Associated Press
Super Tuesday will see contests for the Republican nominee in 15 states. 865 delegates will be awarded in one day — 36% of the total available delegates in the nomination process. GOP primary season will end on June 4.
CBS News

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The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

With an abysmally small turnout, Haley's primary victory in Washington D.C. — a district renowned for its anti-Trump, pro-Democrat ideology — is neither a surprise nor an indication of future success in the nomination process. This is further proof that the desires of Washington's urban elites continue to be at odds with the average American citizen. They only support candidates who serve their elitist interests.

The Western Journal

Anti-Trump narrative

While Haley will almost certainly not win the GOP nomination, her role in being an alternative base aimed at standing up to Trump may regardless prove pivotal in the November election. Haley has the opportunity to do what Bernie Sanders managed against Hillary Clinton in 2016 — to remain a thorn in the nominee's side and influence the party platform. She must continue to undermine Trump's cult of personality from within.

Los Angeles Times