COLUMBIA, S.C. — Politics took center stage in South Carolina over the weekend as former Governor Nikki Haley faced a significant defeat in her home state. With questions swirling about her future in the race, many are pondering what comes next for the Republican hopeful.
"If you have a candidate that can't win 40% of the vote in the early stages, if you have a candidate who can't bring in independents, if you have a candidate that is driving people out of our party, then that is a sinking ship," said Nikki Haley.
Dr. Chase Meyer, a lecturer in the Political Science Department at the University of South Carolina, suggests that while Donald Trump emerged victorious in the state, Haley's ability to secure nearly 40 percent of the vote cannot be dismissed.
"The takeaway is no one candidate can truly declare an overwhelming victory," Meyer said.
"Donald Trump is able to say, 'Hey Nikki Haley, this is your home state. If you can't win your home state, where can you win? Why are you still in this race?' On the other hand, Nikki Haley can say back to Donald Trump, 'Well you are pretty much a quasi-incumbent, you are a former president of the United States, this is not like an open seat race where there is no incumbent running and yet you only got 60% of the vote."
Despite Haley's wins in counties like Richland, Charleston, and Beaufort, Meyer believes it may not be sufficient to propel her toward the Republican nomination.
"Whoever wins South Carolina is usually the eventual nominee," Meyer said.
"I can tell you that we raised a million dollars in 24 hours after the election in South Carolina," Haley said.
Meyer warns that donors may start to pull away if Haley's losses continue unabated. "Donors don't like wasting their money."
As for what's next for Haley, Meyer said it's going to be an uphill battle.
"I have a hard time seeing her running all the way to the convention because when the delegates are awarded, because Donald Trump clearly by mid-spring is going to get enough support by enough delegates to be the presumptive nominee."
Michigan is the next state in the GOP Primary. That takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 27.