Nikki Haley vows she’s ‘not giving up fight’ despite loss to Trump in own state

NIKKI Haley has vowed that she will not give up her presidential bid despite a crushing defeat to her political rival, Donald Trump, in her home state.

Trump emerged victorious in the South Carolina Republican primary — an intimate blow for Haley, who is a native of the state and served two terms as governor.

“I always said no matter what happens in South Carolina, I will continue to run for President,” Haley told her supporters.

“I’m a woman of my word. I’m not giving up this fight when a majority of Americans disapprove of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.”

She had already looked past South Carolina days before the final tally was announced on Saturday, saying she intends to continue her campaign against Trump until at least Super Tuesday on March 5.

“We won’t rest until America wins,” she said.

The win for Trump comes as:

Haley’s defeat in her home state is rare for a presidential candidate.

Most candidates either win their home states or drop out before their home states vote.

In 2016, Florida Senator Marco Rubio lost the state’s primary but dropped out the same night.

The candidates who continue to campaign after their home state loss are often viewed as a long shot to earn their party’s nomination.

And the candidate who wins the South Carolina GOP primary has gone on to clinch the party nomination for president in every election except for one since 1980.

On Saturday, Trump became the projected winner of the state by 7:01 pm — just one minute after polls closed.

Early estimates gave the former president at least 44 delegates out of a total of 50 statewide.

He received 60.2% of the votes with about 80% of ballots counted.

Nikki Haley came in second with about 39.1% of the total votes cast.

While speaking to supporters, Haley said that 40% “is not some tiny group.”

Ron DeSantis is expected to take third place with a couple of thousand votes, securing zero delegates.

Over 800,000 ballots are still being tallied.

The Associated Press called the election so early because of pre-election polling results and Election Day polling data that indicated a resounding win for Trump.

“Never seen the Republican Party so unified as it is now,” Trump said in a speech after his victory was announced.

He also took the opportunity to take a dig at President Joe Biden and other foes.

“Joe, you’re fired, get out Joe, you’re fired… Nine months is a long time, I wish we could do it quicker,” he said.

Trump took a moment to call Republican Senator Tim Scott a “dynamo” too.

He did not mention his main competitor — Haley — by name in the speech.

Senator Lindsey Graham, also of South Carolina, celebrated Trump’s victory soon after the announcement was made.

“America, the nightmare you are facing is just about over,” he said.

Trump gave a fiery speech to supporters at the CPAC conference earlier on Saturday.

He claimed during the talk that “a vote for Trump is your ticket back to freedom… We’re living in hell right now.”

He also said that if Joe Biden were to win the upcoming elections, the US would “lose World War three.”

Despite Trump’s seemingly clear path to the Republican nomination, Hayley has insisted she will continue campaigning until “the last person votes.”

During a rally in Greenville, South Carolina, on Tuesday, the former United Nations ambassador underscored Trump and President Joe Biden‘s age, saying over half of Americans do not want to see a 2016 rematch.

“We have two hugely flawed candidates, in Biden and Trump; Americans know it; they’ve been saying it for years,” Haley said.

“Trump and Biden are two old men who are only getting older. Nearly 60 percent of Americans say Trump and Biden are both too old to be president because they are.

“We’ve all seen them fumble their words and get confused about world leaders. That’s not who we want in the Oval Office.”