Nikki Haley Makes History with First Republican Primary Victory, Trump Camp Dismisses Win

In a historic turn of events, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley clinched her first victory over former President Donald Trump in the race to become the Republican presidential candidate for the 2024 election. This victory marked a significant milestone as she became the first woman to win a Republican primary in US history.

Although Haley faced a setback in her home state of South Carolina, where she suffered defeat, her triumph in Washington DC provided a notable boost to her campaign. Despite Mr. Trump maintaining a substantial lead over Haley in terms of delegates, with 247 compared to her 43 nationwide, her win in the capital served as a symbolic achievement.

Securing 62.9% of the vote compared to Trump’s 33.2%, Haley demonstrated considerable support among Republican voters in Washington DC. However, it’s worth noting that the capital is traditionally Democrat-leaning, with a relatively small Republican population of about 23,000 registered voters.

The primary saw 2,035 Republicans participating, as reported by the Washington Post, indicating a notable turnout despite the city’s political leanings. Haley’s campaign spokesperson, Olivia Perez-Cubas, attributed the victory to a rejection of Trump’s leadership style, referring to it as “Washington dysfunction.”

In response, the Trump Campaign swiftly downplayed Haley’s win, labeling her as the “Queen of the Swamp” and dismissing her victory as a product of support from lobbyists and DC insiders. According to Trump Campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Haley’s success in Washington DC does not reflect broader sentiment across America.

Despite facing challenges from the Trump camp, Haley remains undeterred and has pledged to continue her campaign efforts until at least 5 March, the date of Super Tuesday. This crucial day in the nomination process will see voters from 15 states and one US territory casting their ballots, with 874 Republican delegates up for grabs.

As the campaign progresses, Haley aims to broaden her support base and solidify her position as a viable contender for the Republican nomination, notwithstanding the dominance Trump has displayed in previous primaries and caucuses.