Former President Donald Trump has emerged victorious in Michigan’s Republican primary, according to projections by NBC News.
This win solidifies Trump’s commanding performance in this year’s presidential primaries and caucuses, despite the continued candidacy of former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Michigan’s Republican primary operates in two stages. Out of the state’s 55 delegates to the Republican National Convention, only 16 are allocated based on the results of Tuesday’s primary. The remaining delegates will be determined at a state party convention scheduled for Saturday.
Following the announcement of his victory, Trump dialed into a Michigan GOP watch party in Grand Rapids to express gratitude to his supporters. Speaking to the crowd via phone, he emphasized the importance of winning on November 5th, referring to the general election, and reiterated his belief that clinching Michigan equates to winning the entire election.
Trump (Credits: MSNBC)
Trump’s influence in Michigan remains substantial. He actively participated in the 2022 midterms, endorsing various statewide candidates who secured their primary victories with his support, although all ultimately lost in the general election.
During a rally in Waterford Township on February 17th, Trump largely bypassed discussions about the primary contest and instead focused on gearing up for a November showdown with President Joe Biden.
Meanwhile, Nikki Haley campaigned in Michigan, visiting the Detroit suburb of Troy on Sunday and Grand Rapids on Monday. Despite her efforts, she failed to secure a victory in any primary or caucus leading up to Tuesday’s contest, including in her home state of South Carolina. Haley has increasingly emphasized what she perceives as Trump’s vulnerability in the upcoming election, highlighting her significant vote share in South Carolina as indicative of challenges for Trump.
Prior to the conclusion of voting in Michigan, Haley’s spokesperson, Olivia Perez-Cubas, sought to temper expectations, suggesting that even capturing a modest share of the vote within the GOP would indicate an appetite for an alternative to Trump. As early results showed Haley trailing by a wider margin than in previous contests, Perez-Cubas reiterated this sentiment, comparing Trump’s vote loss to a warning sign for November.
The primary and the ensuing convention on Saturday occur amid significant turmoil within the Michigan Republican Party. A judge intervened on Tuesday in a longstanding dispute between former Rep. Pete Hoekstra, recognized by the Republican National Committee as the new state party chair, and Kristina Karamo, who was removed from the role by dissatisfied activists. Despite Karamo’s refusal to relinquish her position, the court order prohibits her from conducting party business, including plans for a rival GOP convention.
Trump had endorsed Hoekstra, offering congratulations on his legal victory during the Tuesday night call to the watch party. Hoekstra, in an interview last week, expressed concerns about the lack of a campaign plan and financial resources from the previous leadership, highlighting the challenges the party faces in the coming months.
