Haley Campaign and Super PAC Deny Involvement
As polls opened in South Carolina on Saturday morning, reports surfaced of Democrats receiving text messages urging them to forgo voting on Saturday and instead cast a ballot in three weeks. Both the Haley campaign and the SFA Fund, an aligned super PAC, have denied any involvement with these text messages.
Nikki Haley Gaining Support from Independent Voters and Crossover Democrats
Nikki Haley, a former two-term South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, has been gaining support from independent voters and even some crossover Democrats. In last month’s Iowa Republican caucuses and New Hampshire GOP primary, Haley garnered significant support. She obtained 43% of the vote in New Hampshire, positioning herself as the last remaining major rival to commanding front-runner Donald Trump.
Democratic Party Raises Concerns About Haley’s Conservative Policies
Democratic Party officials in South Carolina have been highlighting Nikki Haley’s conservative policies during her tenure as governor. They have dubbed her the “mother of the MAGA movement” and are reminding voters of her lack of action on issues important to Democrats. Democratic candidate Jaime Harrison stated that Democrats in South Carolina are not supporting Haley because she “didn’t do anything for us.”
Biden Expected to Win Big in South Carolina
Former Vice President Joe Biden, who won the South Carolina primary four years ago, is expected to secure another victory in the state. Biden’s campaign has focused on appealing to Black voters, who play a significant role in South Carolina Democratic politics. Biden’s landslide victory in the state in 2016 propelled him towards the Democratic presidential nomination and eventual win in the general election.
Candidates Fail to Compete in South Carolina
Despite filing to be on the ballot in South Carolina, some Democratic candidates have not made significant efforts to compete in the state. Candidates like Rep. Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson have been absent from recent campaign events and have not made in-person appearances in South Carolina. South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain expressed disappointment in their lack of engagement.
Biden’s Campaign Shows Support for Black Voters
Joe Biden’s campaign has emphasized its support for Black voters in South Carolina and across the United States. Biden, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and other campaign officials, has made multiple campaign stops and rallied in the state. The campaign aims to send a message to Black communities that they are seen, heard, and valued.