Presidential contender Nikki Haley achieved a significant win in the Washington DC Republican primary on Sunday, marking her first triumph in the nominating race. As the only challenger left against Donald Trump, Haley secured 62.9% of the votes compared to Trump’s 33.2%. Though the victory was largely symbolic, it provided momentum for Haley as she continues her uphill bid for the Republican nomination to potentially face President Joe Biden in the November election. Trump had previously dominated the initial eight nominating contests before falling to Haley in the nation’s capital.
Despite the DC victory, Trump is favored to win the majority of the upcoming primaries, as polling indicates. Washington DC’s urban environment and educated electorate contrast sharply with the rural and lower educational attainment areas which form Trump’s core support base. Additionally, Trump has not resonated as well with the city’s federal employees, a group he and his allies have targeted for mass replacement with loyalists.
Haley’s 19 delegates from Washington DC contribute only a small percentage toward the 1,215 needed for the nomination. Nonetheless, her win can counteract claims of her inability to win any contest and provides a contrast to Trump and other party leaders who have often criticized Washington as crime-ridden and governed by disconnected elites. The DC Republican electorate has previously shown resistance to Trump, awarding him no delegates in 2016 despite his national nomination victory.
Ahead lies Super Tuesday, a pivotal event with 874 Republican delegates at stake across 15 states and one territory. As Haley fights to change the tide of Trump’s lead, this forthcoming contest could be her last opportunity to significantly challenge the former president’s campaign. The outcome of Super Tuesday is anticipated to propel Trump closer to clinching the Republican nomination unless Haley can pull off an unexpected series of wins. The Democratic primary in Washington will take place later in June.