In an unexpected turn of events, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley emerged victorious in the Washington, D.C., GOP primary, marking her first win in the Republican presidential nominating contest. The triumph over former President Donald Trump injects a fresh wave of momentum into Haley’s campaign as she looks ahead to the critical Super Tuesday contests.
Haley, who pledged to stay in the race through Super Tuesday, secured 63% of the GOP primary vote, surpassing Trump’s 33%. The relatively low turnout saw just over 2,000 Washington Republicans participating, allowing Haley to claim the District’s 19 delegates.
The dynamics of Washington’s moderate Republican voter base, largely comprised of individuals in politics or government, set the stage for a unique scenario where Haley could shine. In contrast to early states like South Carolina and Iowa, where Trump dominates, Washington’s Republicans demonstrated a distinct political temperament. Trump had received only 14% of the vote in Washington’s 2016 primary.
The anticipation for a modest turnout presented an opportunity for any candidate to prevail. Washington GOP chair Patrick Mara noted, “It could be anywhere between 2,000 and 6,000 voters. So, quite frankly, there is an opportunity here for anyone to win. It just depends on voter turnout and what the campaigns are doing.”
The primary, managed by the local Republican Party, featured a single polling location at the Madison Hotel. Both Haley and Trump campaigns engaged in extensive outreach efforts, including text messages, phone calls, and volunteers going door to door to motivate voters.
Highlighting the unique experience of Washington’s GOP primary, Mara emphasized, “It’s run by the party, which is a different experience, and we pay for it. So it means that Washington Republicans had to be motivated to come to downtown D.C. to a hotel to vote.”
Trump’s dominance in early primary states and the perception that the Republican nominating process had already been decided contributed to the low turnout. As Haley celebrates her unexpected victory, the focus now shifts to the broader implications this outcome might have on the upcoming Super Tuesday contests.
