Trump boasts majority of South Carolina GOP support as Haley posts 25% in new poll

Former President Donald Trump continues to hold the support of more than half of South Carolina Republicans in a new poll, while former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has managed to notch 25% in her home state.

With less than two weeks until the first 2024 Republican nominating contest in Iowa and roughly seven weeks from the South Carolina Republican primary, Trump boasts 54% support among South Carolina GOP primary voters. In the new Emerson College Polling survey of South Carolina voters, Haley earned the second-most support, with a quarter of the group backing her.

TRUMP SEEKS TO ‘WIN BIG’ IN IOWA KILL SHOT

No other candidates managed to break out of single digits. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) posted 7%, while former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie received 5%, and Vivek Ramaswamy saw 3%. An additional 6% of Republican primary voters were undecided.

“The current state of the race in South Carolina finds Trump as the frontrunner with Haley as his main opponent. DeSantis has seen a decline in support, and similar to our New Hampshire poll has faded into the pack with single-digit support,” Executive Director of Emerson College Polling Spencer Kimball said.

According to the Emerson poll, voters who consider themselves independents are more likely to choose her, at 37%, whereas 33% opt for Trump. But with Republicans, Trump leads Haley significantly, with 62% to her 21%.

Those who said they were “very likely” to vote more often chose Trump, with 57% doing so. Of the group, 24% picked Haley. The numbers are much closer among South Carolinians who said they were “somewhat likely” to vote. Among them, 34% chose Trump, while 31% opted for Haley.

“A key question arising from this poll is whether Haley can mobilize ample support in her home state before the primary, in the case the race becomes more competitive after New Hampshire,” Kimball said.

As the field continues to narrow and is expected to do so more after the first two elections in Iowa and New Hampshire, analysts expect to see more movement among South Carolina Republicans. But departures by other 2024 primary candidates aren’t necessarily guaranteed to deliver their supporters to Haley, who seems to be emerging as the preferred Trump alternative in the 2024 race.

“Haley currently earns the support of a plurality of Christie voters, 44%, as their second choice for the nomination, but others split their vote between the top candidates,” according to Senior Director at Emerson College Polling Matt Taglia.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

He further noted that “with limited undecided voters, a path for Haley in South Carolina could depend on converting some of these first and second choices.”

South Carolina’s Republican primary will take place Feb. 24.