Nikki Haley refuses to drop out after South Carolina loss: ‘Today is not the end of our story’

CHARLESTON, South Carolina — Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said she will not give up her fight to be president after a crushing defeat to former President Donald Trump in her home state Saturday.

“I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run for president. I’m a woman of my word,” Haley said Saturday to cheers at her election night party at The Charleston Place. “I’m not giving up this fight when a majority of Americans disapprove of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.”

The sparsely populated grand ballroom did not react when the race was called for Trump just after the polls closed at 7 p.m. With more than three-fourths of the ballots counted, Trump was leading with 60% of the vote to Haley’s 39%. The room filled up when the former South Carolina governor took the stage and announced her next steps.

Haley congratulated Trump on his victory but said the numbers in South Carolina show that she should continue to the next nominating contest in Michigan next week. Voters, she said, want someone else than Biden or Trump back in the White House.

“I’m an accountant — I know 40% is not 50%,” Haley said of her share of the election results. “But I also know 40% is not some tiny group. There are huge numbers of voters in our Republican primaries who are saying they want an alternative.”

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley arrives to speak to supporters after the South Carolina presidential primary on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Charleston, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Before Haley took the stage, attendees milled about snacking on charcuterie, spinach and artichoke dip, and Carolina crab dip.

Haley supporters, though disappointed, kept encouraging her to continue the quixotic bid.

“If she loses South Carolina, she should continue to run until Super Tuesday, and then at that point reevaluate,” said Gregory Mooshagian, 64, an independent voter who voted for Haley on Saturday.

“Just keeping going,” said Laurice Williamson, 82, a retired Charleston resident, about Haley’s loss.

As broadcast networks showcased the ballroom on live television, they cheered, yelled, and clapped for Haley, at one point chanting, “We want Nikki!”

The jubilant crowd defied the expected mood at a gathering for a presidential candidate losing her home state’s primary. Notable were the “Women For Nikki” supporters who were the most enthusiastic.

Julian Buxton, 62, a retail book store owner from Charleston, said he had encouraged “all my Republican friends and family to vote for Nikki Haley, our past South Carolina governor, because in that way it can help save democracy. Nikki Haley is for democracy.”

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The path for Haley to win the GOP nomination is uncertain after five consecutive losses in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and her home state. The next nominating contest is in Michigan, which will hold a primary on Tuesday. After that, the biggest delegate windfall comes on March 5, Super Tuesday, when 16 GOP contests will take place, including in delegate-rich California and Texas.

Haley continues to appeal most to independent and centrist voters, per exit polls. That could open up an alternative path for her on a unity ticket with the group No Labels. The group is seeking ballot access in a number of states to offer an alternative to Trump and Biden in November.

“I’m grateful that today is not the end of our story,” Haley told supporters.

Amy DeLaura contributed to this report.