Washington, D.C. Republican Primary: Nikki Haley’s Opportunity to Challenge Donald Trump in Today’s Showdown

In the Washington, D.C., Republican primary on Sunday, presidential contenders Donald Trump and Nikki Haley will compete in what is considered a small-scale contest. While the nation’s capital only contributes 19 delegates out of 2,429 to the Republican National Convention in July, where the official nominee is determined, this showdown could present one of Haley’s most promising opportunities to secure a victory over the former president.

Although the results are unlikely to significantly alter the overall trajectory of the race, with Trump having triumphed in all previous nominating contests, Washington, D.C., or D.C. as formally known, may offer fertile ground for Haley’s campaign. Notably, in the last competitive Republican contest in D.C. in 2016, Trump garnered less than 14% of the vote and failed to secure any delegates, despite later clinching the national nomination.

The single polling station, located in a downtown hotel, has been open since Friday morning and will close at 7 p.m. (0000 GMT) on Sunday, after which votes will be tallied. Being a 100% urban area with a relatively high percentage of college-educated residents, D.C. contrasts with the rural regions that constitute Trump’s stronghold, often characterized by lower educational attainment.

A victory for Trump would underscore his ability to maintain a steadfast support base across diverse demographic and geographic segments of the Republican Party. The absence of local polling data and the limited Republican presence in the city contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the primary’s outcome.

Haley actively campaigned in D.C. on Friday, holding an event at the same hotel hosting the polling station, while Trump’s campaign engagement in the city has been minimal, primarily limited to text messages urging local supporters to vote.

The Democratic primary in Washington is scheduled for June. Additionally, on Super Tuesday, voters in 15 states and one U.S. territory will participate in the largest day of nominating contests in the presidential primary, with 874 Republican delegates at stake.