Former President Donald J. Trump clinched a resounding victory over Nikki Haley in South Carolina’s Republican primary on Saturday, dealing a significant blow to Haley’s aspirations in her home state and raising serious questions about her political future.

The Associated Press swiftly called Trump’s win, reinforcing his narrative of dominance in the race. With triumphs in early states under his belt, Trump is rapidly advancing toward the nomination, maintaining momentum despite a substantial portion of delegates still up for grabs.

South Carolina has remained a Trump stronghold since his inaugural run in 2016, and pre-primary polls consistently showed him enjoying sizable leads over his opponents.

Yet, Haley, the former governor and UN ambassador under the Trump administration, had aimed to defy expectations. Her defeat at the hands of voters intimately familiar with her political career underscores the uncertainty surrounding her trajectory.

Despite the setback, Haley remains undeterred, vowing to press on through Super Tuesday on March 5. She asserts her candidacy offers an alternative for anti-Trump voters, emphasizing the importance of American voters having a diverse range of choices. Buoyed by continued donor support, she maintains the financial resources to sustain her campaign.

Her campaign itinerary includes a trip to Michigan on Sunday, with planned stops in several states leading up to Super Tuesday, where a significant chunk of Republican delegates will be at stake.

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary in South Carolina, held earlier this month, saw President Biden securing a commanding victory once again, propelled by strong support from the state’s sizable Black voter population, a demographic that played a pivotal role in his 2020 triumph.