Haley pledges to continue campaign after ‘humiliating’ loss in Nevada

Nikki Haley pledges to persevere in her quest for the Republican presidential nomination, undeterred by her defeat in the Nevada primary

Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign downplayed her significant loss in the Nevada primary and affirmed her commitment to continue her battle for the White House despite the odds stacked against her.

Despite being the sole candidate on the ballot, Haley only secured 31% of the vote, trailing far behind the 63% who voted for “none of these candidates.” This defeat, while symbolic rather than impactful in terms of delegate allocation, diminishes Haley’s prospects as a candidate. 

The Trump campaign made no effort to rally voters for the primary, with Trump himself urging supporters to focus on the upcoming caucuses. Despite this, nearly 44,000 people voted for “none” of the candidates, more than double the number who voted for Haley. 

A spokesperson for Haley, Olivia Perez-Cubas, minimized the loss, suggesting that the process was skewed in Trump’s favor. At a campaign event, Haley vowed to persevere, acknowledging the challenges ahead. 

Haley’s focus has shifted to winning her home state of South Carolina, although polls show Trump with a significant lead. Her team had managed expectations in Nevada, acknowledging her trailing position in polls dominated by the former president. 

Despite the disappointing outcome in Nevada, some supporters remain steadfast in their backing of Haley, believing in her qualifications and hoping for a shift in primary voters’ support or for an opportunity if Trump encounters setbacks. 

Haley chose to bypass Nevada and concentrate on fundraising in California, while Trump aims to solidify his position for a potential general election contest against President Joe Biden. 

Nevada law dictates that only votes for named candidates count toward the election result, technically making Haley the winner of the primary. 

As the political landscape unfolds, Trump faces legal challenges, including federal and state criminal charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. The U.S. Supreme Court will also hear arguments regarding his potential exclusion from Colorado’s ballot due to the events of Jan. 6, 2021. 

Source: Reuters