Nikki Haley has bet her 2024 bid on South Carolina. But much of her home state leans toward Trump
Associated PressGILBERT, S.C. — Standing inside a rustic barn a short drive from the state capital, Henry McMaster shocked many South Carolina Republicans seven years ago by backing Donald Trump for president. “Trump’s narcissism and pride and arrogance is just too much for the office.” Losing South Carolina would be a huge blow to Haley’s campaign, which is counting on outlasting rivals like Florida Gov. “They know she has what it takes to win because they’ve seen her beat the odds before — not just once, but twice.” But Trump changed Republican politics in South Carolina and nationally. “What we’ve seen since the 2020 election is a concerted effort by MAGA to take over the county party mechanism, and essentially, when they do that, to drive out long-term establishment Reagan Republicans.” Burgess, who said he voted for neither Trump nor Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 and supported Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, said he had initially backed South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott in the 2024 GOP primary, but now sees Haley as the party’s best bet to defeat Trump. “One thing I don’t think you can call Donald Trump is an insider.” But there are still people in South Carolina who have been waiting for Haley to run for the White House.