Donald Trump looks set to win another resounding Republican primary victory over Nikki Haley in South Carolina on Saturday, according to polls.
The former president is heading into the February 24 race against the former South Carolina governor, his last remaining serious challenger in the GOP primary, with all recent surveys giving him strong double digit leads in the Palmetto State
Trump has practically cemented his position as the clear favorite to clinch the 2024 Republican nomination following victories in the Iowa and Nevada caucuses, as well as in the New Hampshire primary.
If Haley suffers another loss in her home state, many have speculated that it could result in her dropping out of the race entirely.
A Tuesday Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll of 500 likely voters in the South Carolina GOP primary gave Trump a near 30-point lead over Haley (63 percent to 35 percent).
The same day, a survey from Emerson College Polling/The Hill of 1,000 registered South Carolina voters showed Trump with a 23-point lead over Haley (58 to 35 points), with 7 percent undecided.
Of those undecided voters, 61 percent said they prefer Trump, with 39 percent saying they may back Haley.
An InsiderAdvantage survey of 800 likely voters gave Trump a 22-point lead (60 to 38 percent).
"It looks highly unlikely that Nikki Haley can overtake Donald Trump in this contest. Moreover, it will be a stretch for her to cross into the forty-percentile area," InsiderAdvantage's Matt Towery said in a statement.
"She will likely lose the state where she once served as governor and the results, even if she moves into the low forty-percent range, will likely provide her little assistance or momentum in the onslaught of Super Tuesday states that will quickly follow."
Trump's and Haley's campaign teams have been contacted for comment via email.
According to FiveThirtyEight's polling average tracker, Trump leads in South Carolina with 63.6 percent as of February 22, with Haley a distant second at 33.1 percent.
During a recent speech in South Carolina, Haley dismissed suggestions she would soon drop out of the presidential race, or that she would "kiss the ring" of Trump.
"When the country's future is on the line, you don't drop out. You keep fighting. In fact, you fight harder than ever. That's why I refuse to quit," she said.
"I feel no need to kiss the ring. I have no fear of Trump's retribution. I'm not looking for anything from him. My own political future is of zero concern. I hear what the political class says, but I hear from the American people too."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, domestic policy ... Read more
