Former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley were the key contenders. The night promised political fireworks, and the country waited with bated breath.
The home-state advantage didn't favor Haley, and Trump emerged victorious across various demographic groups, winning majorities of men, women, and all age brackets.
Trump's stronghold on the MAGA movement played a pivotal role. Over 40% of South Carolina GOP voters identified as part of the MAGA movement
Exit polls revealed widespread dissatisfaction among Republican voters. Nearly nine in 10 expressed discontent with the nation's trajectory
Haley's questioning of Trump's mental fitness became a central theme. However, Trump's voters overwhelmingly dismissed these claims, turning the narrative against Haley.
Comparisons to previous primaries highlighted a more conservative electorate in 2024. Over 40% identified as "very conservative," a notable increase from 2016.
White evangelicals, a significant force in South Carolina, comprised about six in 10 voters—triple the number in the New Hampshire Republican primary.
The South Carolina GOP primary electorate was overwhelmingly White, with more than 90% identifying as such. This racial composition mirrored the trend observed in previous Republican primaries.
The delegate count was a critical aspect of the primary. Trump led with an estimated 63 delegates compared to Haley's 17 before the South Carolina primary.
The battle between Trump and Haley had far-reaching implications, setting the tone for the upcoming primaries and ultimately the 2024 presidential race.