LIVE UPDATES: South Carolinians Head to the Polls for GOP Primary

Haley to Head to the Polls for Crucial Home State Primary

The South Carolina Republican presidential primary presents the biggest test yet for the viability of former Gov. Nikki Haley’s campaign.

A win could change the trajectory of the race. A loss would only further solidify former President Donald Trump’s status as the presumptive nominee.

Nikki Haley speaks with supporters at a campaign event in Moncks Corner, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2024. (Ivan Pentchoukov/Epoch Times)
Nikki Haley speaks with supporters at a campaign event in Moncks Corner, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2024. (Ivan Pentchoukov/Epoch Times)

Regardless of the outcome, Ms. Haley has promised to stay in the fight. And at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, she will pull up outside of her local polling place on Kiawah Island and cast her vote in defiance of her critics.

“This has never just been about who can win a Republican primary. This battle is about who can win in November, defeat the Democrats, and finally get our country back on track,” Haley campaign manager Betsy Ankeny told reporters on Friday.

“We know the odds here, but we also know the stakes, and we think that a whole lot of Republicans across the country do too. And so, we are placing our faith in the American people.”

—Samantha Flom

Trump Looks To Secure 4th State in South Carolina

Nikki Haley says she will keep campaigning despite the results of the South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary, but her hopes for winning the nomination will continue to dim with another loss to former President Donald Trump.

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According to various major polls, President Trump holds a commanding 30 percent advantage over the former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. If these polls are accurate, the 45th president would win his fourth straight primary contest.

Former President Donald Trump receives applause during the Black Conservative Federation Gala in Columbia, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2024. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Former President Donald Trump receives applause during the Black Conservative Federation Gala in Columbia, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2024. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

President Trump won the New Hampshire primary and the Republican Party of Iowa’s Caucus in January. In February, he prevailed in the Nevada contests. He’s already knocked out most of the major challengers in the GOP field and now the former South Carolina governor is his sole obstacle to winning a third nomination.

On Tuesday, Ms. Haley held an emotional press conference where she reiterated her desire to stay in the race as long as possible. The candidate, from Bamberg, South Carolina, has spent much of her time in the Palmetto State since coming up short in New Hampshire.

Nikki Haley addresses supporters at a campaign even in Moncks Corner, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2024. (Ivan Pentchoukov/Epoch Times)
Nikki Haley addresses supporters at a campaign even in Moncks Corner, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2024. (Ivan Pentchoukov/Epoch Times)

President Trump, still caught up in court battles and with eyes firmly on the 2024 general election, has spent less time in the state.

On Feb. 23, he spoke at the Black Conservative Federation Honors Gala in Columbia, South Carolina. Today, he will speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington.

President Trump is also promoting a plan that would put figures loyal to him in charge of the Republican National Committee. Current Chair Ronna McDaniel has said she will decide on her future with the party committee after South Carolina votes.

Most of the major political figures in South Carolina are endorsing President Trump. The state’s governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and both of its senators are behind the GOP frontrunner.

South Carolina is home to a so-called open primary, meaning independent and Democrat voters can vote in the Republican contest. Voters looking to oppose President Trump may well throw their support behind Ms. Haley

Early voting figures show there should be a good turnout for the South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary. There was decidedly less interest in the Democratic Party version of the contest earlier this month, which President Joe Biden won easily.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Eastern.

—Austin Alonzo

Trump, Milei to Address CPAC

Several political heavyweights are slated to address attendees on the final day of the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington.

Argentina's President Javier Milei is surrounded by media after delivering a speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos on Jan. 17, 2024. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina’s President Javier Milei is surrounded by media after delivering a speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos on Jan. 17, 2024. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Highlights to tune in for:

8:35 a.m.: “#WalkAway” with #WalkAway founder Brandon Straka

10:20 a.m.: “MyVote” with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell

11 a.m.: “The Good Doctors” with Epoch Times Senior Editor Jan Jekielek and Drs. Robert Malone and Brooke Miller

11:25 a.m.: Kari Lake, candidate for U.S. Senate

1 p.m.: former President Donald Trump

2:55 p.m.: Argentina President Javier Milei

3:50 p.m.: “Ramaswamy Unplugged” with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy

4:25 p.m.: Steve Bannon, host of “War Room”

—Samantha Flom

Original News Source Link – Epoch Times

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