Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has achieved a significant victory over former US President Donald Trump in the Washington DC Republican primary, according to projections by The Hill on Monday. Haley secured 1,274 votes compared to Trump’s 676, with all precincts reporting.
This marks Haley’s first win over Trump in the 2024 campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. The primary took place in a downtown hotel near Washington DC’s lobbying hub over the weekend. Haley reportedly won nearly 63% of the vote, according to Republican party officials.
The DC Republican electorate, comprising only 5% of registered voters, is not representative of the conservative base found in other parts of the US, noted Politico. Patrick Mara, chair of the DC Republican Party, described the electorate as “a little more sophisticated than just about any universe in any other state.”
Despite her victory, Haley has not indicated whether she will continue her campaign after the upcoming contests. Trump still leads in delegates and is expected to gain significantly on Super Tuesday, with 16 states, including American Samoa, casting their votes on March 5.
The Democratic primary in DC is scheduled for June.