Article Summary –
In the Pennsylvania presidential primary, over 150,000 registered Republicans voted for Nikki Haley despite her having ended her campaign, indicating a significant show of defiance against the presumptive GOP nominee, Donald Trump. Although Trump won approximately 83% of the vote, Haley’s 16% sparked debate about his ability to unify GOP support in crucial upcoming elections. Also notable was the dissent from key suburban Republican voters, whose support could be decisive in a close race.
In Pennsylvania’s Presidential Primary, Nikki Haley Sees Significant GOP Support
Over 150,000 registered Republicans in Pennsylvania’s presidential primary cast their votes for Nikki Haley, a noticeable defiance against the GOP’s presumptive nominee, Donald Trump.
Trump Sees Majority, but Haley Holds Ground
Trump won approximately 83% of the vote, with majority of votes tallied on Wednesday morning. Haley, who ended her campaign on March 6, secured more than 16% of the vote, sparking a debate about Trump’s ability to consolidate GOP support in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground in November’s election.
Biden Also Faces Opposition
President Biden also faced opposition in Pennsylvania, with around 7% of Democratic primary voters backing a non-running long-shot challenger, and an additional 6% casting a write-in ballot. However, the dissent within GOP in key suburban counties was particularly notable, despite no organized campaign against Trump.
Key Factors in a Close Race
The extent to which Republican voters turn against Trump and Democrats abandon Biden could be a significant factor in a close race. A potentially troubling sign for Trump was that nearly 25% of Republican voters in three out of four vote-rich counties in the Philadelphia suburbs cast ballots for Haley over Trump.
Signs of Shifting Alleigances and Party Discord
Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg suggests there are a sizable number of GOP voters who have shifted from the Republican Party since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, posing a problem for the GOP. Biden had a much stronger showing in key swing counties around Philadelphia, winning over 90% in all four. However, resistance against Biden was split, with around 68,000 Democratic voters casting ballots for Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.) who, like Haley, dropped out early.
Trump’s Dominance Questioned
Trump’s divisive positions, false claims about the 2020 election, and legal issues have pushed a minority of GOP voters away. Republican strategist in Pennsylvania David La Torre expressed concern about Haley securing over 100,000 votes in the state without even running an active campaign. Public polls show a close race in Pennsylvania with Biden and Trump virtually tied.
The Battle for Pennsylvania
Both campaigns plan to spend heavily in Pennsylvania, historically a state that chooses the presidential victor. Pennsylvania-based Democratic public affairs executive Larry Ceisler pointed to Haley’s significant support in traditionally Republican areas as evidence that Democrats can also chip away at Trump’s advantage. The Trump campaign continues to point at vulnerabilities for Biden, including low approval ratings and polls in swing states that show Trump ahead.
Republican Support for Trump Remains Strong, Despite Primary Results
Despite Haley’s support in the primary, recent national and Pennsylvania polls find about 9 in 10 self-identified Republicans support Trump in the general election, aligning with the share of Democrats who support Biden.
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