She shocked the critics.
Nikki Haley, the former Governor of South Carolina, clinched her first GOP presidential nominating victory in the Washington, D.C., primary, as projected by NBC News on Sunday. This win marks a significant moment for her campaign, aiming to gather momentum leading up to the Super Tuesday contests next week.
In the primary, Haley secured 63% of the GOP vote, surpassing former President Donald Trump, who garnered 33%. With just over 2,000 ballots cast by Washington Republicans, Haley crossed the threshold to claim all 19 delegates from the District.
The dynamics of Washington’s Republican electorate, particularly its moderate faction consisting largely of individuals involved in politics or government, differ significantly from early primary states like South Carolina and Iowa. This contrast provided Haley with a unique opportunity to secure her first victory, considering Trump’s modest 14% support in Washington’s 2016 primary.
Expectations for voter turnout were modest, with projections ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 voters. This variable turnout scenario diverged from previous contests, where margins were anticipated to be narrower.
The primary, organized by the local Republican Party, featured a single polling location at the Madison Hotel. Efforts to boost turnout included text messages, phone calls, and door-to-door outreach by both Haley’s and Trump’s campaigns.
Patrick Mara, Washington GOP chair, attributed the low turnout to Trump’s early dominance in primary states and the perception that the nomination process was predetermined. He emphasized the media-savviness of Washington Republicans, who remained informed about the evolving dynamics of the race.
Despite prevailing narratives suggesting Trump’s inevitability as the nominee, Haley’s victory in the Washington primary underscores the potential for shifting dynamics in the GOP race and injects momentum into her campaign ahead of the crucial Super Tuesday contests.
