Indian-American presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has clinched her inaugural Republican primary victory in Washington DC, outpacing her competitor, former President Donald Trump, and igniting fresh momentum for her 2024 campaign in the lead-up to the pivotal Super Tuesday showdown.
This triumph marks a historic moment as Haley becomes the first woman ever to secure a Republican presidential primary win. Additionally, she solidifies her position as the premier Indian-American candidate to have emerged victorious in either the Democratic or Republican primaries, a feat unmatched by previous contenders like Bobby Jindal in 2016, Kamala Harris in 2020, and Vivek Ramaswamy in 2024.
The 51-year-old Haley secured 1,274 votes, representing 62.9 percent of the total, surpassing Trump, who garnered 676 votes, or 33.2 percent. With this win, she clinches all 19 Republican delegates available in Washington DC, bolstering her delegate count to 43 nationwide, albeit trailing Trump's 247 delegates.
The showdown unfolded over the weekend at a downtown hotel near the epicenter of DC's lobbying enclave. Following her victory, Haley took to social media, expressing gratitude and rallying her supporters to press forward in the fight for progress.
As a former US ambassador to the UN during the Trump administration, Haley's victory in her home state of South Carolina eluded her last month. Nevertheless, her triumph in Washington DC underscores her resilience and marks a historic milestone in US political history.
In response to Haley's win, her campaign spokesperson emphasized a rejection of Trump's divisive politics, citing the desire to break free from the chaos that has permeated Washington in recent years. Conversely, the Trump campaign framed Haley's victory as a product of the establishment's embrace, dubbing her "Queen of the Swamp" and reaffirming Trump's commitment to overhaul the political landscape.
Looking ahead, Trump's dominance in early primaries positions him as the frontrunner, poised to amass additional delegates on Super Tuesday. Despite this, Haley remains steadfast in her determination to compete through Super Tuesday, viewing it as a critical juncture in her campaign.
While Haley's victory in Washington DC was anticipated given her strong support base in the region, it signifies a significant milestone in her bid for the presidency. Despite Trump's previous success in the capital's primaries, Haley's triumph signals a potential shift in the political dynamics within the Republican Party.
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