The 2024 South Carolina Republican presidential primary is scheduled for February 24, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the Republican Party’s primaries for the 2024 presidential election. As part of the primary process, 50 delegates will be allocated to the 2024 Republican National Convention based on a selection basis.
The primary in South Carolina follows the Iowa caucuses, the New Hampshire primary, the Nevada primary and caucuses, and the United States Virgin Islands caucuses, making it the fifth competitive contest in the primary season.
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Former Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, announced her presidential candidacy in February 2023, alongside other notable candidates such as Donald Trump. Tim Scott, a U.S. Senator representing South Carolina, initially entered the race but later withdrew on November 12, 2023, endorsing Trump in January 2024.
South Carolina’s Republican electorate is known for its high proportion of evangelical voters, making socially conservative candidates historically successful in the state’s primary. In 2016, Donald Trump emerged victorious with 32.51% of the vote, highlighting the significance of evangelical support in the primary.
The procedure for the South Carolina Republican primary involves awarding 29 at-large delegates to the candidate with the highest statewide vote total, along with three delegates allocated to each of the state’s seven congressional districts based on the candidate with the highest vote total in each district.
Key candidates on the ballot for the 2024 South Carolina Republican primary include Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, and others who filed by the end of the filing period on October 31, 2023.
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The primary is crucial for Nikki Haley, given her home state advantage. With Trump dominating statewide polls, Haley’s campaign faces significant challenges, with analysts suggesting that another loss, especially in her home state, could be detrimental to her candidacy.
The primary’s outcome will impact the trajectory of the Republican presidential race, potentially shaping the narrative leading up to Super Tuesday on March 5, where Republicans in 15 states and one U.S. territory will choose their preferred nominee.
