Haley Leads Trump by 36 Points in South Carolina, Fresh Poll Reveals

In a recent Winthrop University survey released on Wednesday, a challenging landscape was unveiled for Nikki Haley aspirations. This comes as a significant blow to the former South Carolina governor, just over a week prior to the state’s Republican primary.

Trump Commands Overwhelming Support

The poll, conducted from February 2nd to 10th among 1,717 registered voters in South Carolina, delivered sobering results for Haley. It included 749 likely or certain to participate in the Republican primary. It revealed that nearly two-thirds, or 65 percent, of likely Republican primary voters threw their support behind former President Donald J. Trump. In stark contrast, only 29 percent expressed their allegiance to Haley, illustrating a substantial gap between the two contenders. These figures mirrored the average findings of recent polls conducted in the state, painting a bleak picture for Haley’s campaign.

Haley’s Struggle for Momentum

Haley’s recent performance has fallen short of expectations. Despite her previous successes, including garnering 19 percent of the caucus vote in Iowa and securing 43 percent of the primary vote in New Hampshire. She hopes for incremental progress, acknowledging she may not surpass Trump currently in her aspirations. In a recent interview with NBC, Haley emphasized the importance of outperforming her results in New Hampshire and maintaining competitiveness in the South Carolina primary.

Declining Favorability Ratings

However, the fine print of the poll further compounded Haley’s challenges. Only 49 percent of registered voters, including both Republicans and Democrats, reported holding a favorable opinion of her. This marks a notable decline from 59 percent in Winthrop’s previous poll in November. Among Republicans, this drop was particularly pronounced, with only 56 percent expressing a favorable view, down from 71 percent in November. In contrast, Trump’s approval rating among all registered voters stood at 48 percent. There’s a significant 81 percent favorability rating among Republicans, indicating a widening popularity gap between the two candidates.

Trump’s Growing Influence

According to The New York Times, while Haley grapples with dwindling support, Trump’s influence continues to grow, particularly within Republican circles. His recent speech over the weekend has fueled further controversy and scrutiny. In it, he hinted at encouraging Russia to attack NATO members and made disparaging remarks about Haley’s husband, a National Guard major deployed overseas.

Haley’s Response and Nevada Setback

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Haley’s campaign suffered a significant setback last week in the Nevada primary. Despite Trump’s absence from the ballot, she received fewer votes than the “None of These Candidates” option. In response, Haley has vehemently criticized Trump for his comments, accusing him of disrespecting military personnel.

Uncertain Outcome

As the South Carolina primary looms closer, Haley finds herself in a precarious position, battling to regain momentum and support amidst Trump’s resolute dominance in the polls. With tensions escalating and the stakes higher than ever, the outcome of the upcoming primary remains uncertain. This leaves Haley facing an uphill struggle in her quest for political resurgence.