Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley vowed Saturday to remain in the primary and “keep fighting” former President Trump after the former president won his home state of South Carolina.
The Hill’s partner Decision Desk Headquarters and other news organizations placed the former president’s call in the Palmetto State shortly after the polls closed at 7 p.m. ET. Based on pre-campaign polling averages, Trump was expected to easily defeat Haley.
“I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I will continue to run for president,” Haley told supporters after Trump’s early campaign call.
“I’m a woman of my word,” she added. “Even though the majority of Americans do not support both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, I will not give up on this fight.”
Trump’s victory in South Carolina marks the third consecutive year he has won the state where both his and Haley’s names appeared on the Republican ballot, increasing questions about his candidacy. It was another blow to the former UN ambassador.
But the results in South Carolina did little to dissuade Haley as she spoke to supporters.
“Does anyone really think Joe Biden or Donald Trump will unite the country and solve our problems? One of them calls his fellow Americans ‘fascists.’ Is the other one calling fellow Americans “pests”? ” she asked. “They’re not fighting for the future of our country. They’re demanding that we fight each other.”
“The younger generation, my children’s generation, knows that better than anyone. They deserve better. They deserve leadership,” she added. “That’s why I will continue to fight – for them, for you, and for all of America.”
Haley’s remarks were in contrast to Trump, who focused instead on the general election. The 2024 presidential election is increasingly likely to be a rematch between President Trump and President Biden.
“We’re going to gather here on November 5th and we’re going to look Joe Biden in the face, and we’re going to look him straight in the eye,” President Trump told his supporters. “He’s destroying our country, so we’re going to say, ‘Joe, you’re fired. Get out. Get out, Joe. You’re fired.'”
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