After Nikki Haley Wins 156,000 Votes In Pennsylvania GOP Primary, Biden Increases Efforts To Steal Her Voters From Trump

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley received over 156,000 votes in the Pennsylvania GOP primary election despite dropping out of the race in March, suggesting a significant protest vote among Republicans. 

Haley won 16.5% of Pennsylvania’s primary vote on April 23. 

She secured twice the number of votes by which Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in 2020.

Both parties are focusing on Pennsylvania since its 19 electoral votes make it a critical battleground state.

Tens of thousands of Republicans refused to vote for Trump even though he is the likely GOP nominee.

He won the primary race in the critical swing state with 83.5% of the vote, amounting to more than 786,000 votes.

Biden gained 90% of the Democratic vote in this primary election.

If the former South Carolina governor’s GOP supporters decide not to back the former president in November, it could swing Pennsylvania in Biden’s favor. This week, the Biden campaign increased outreach to Haley voters via online targeting. 

Even though Trump prevailed, the share of voters casting protest ballots for Haley was still notable to political observers, including Fox News host Dana Perino.

“Biden took more than 90% of the Democratic vote in Pennsylvania’s closed primary, but the surprise of the night came from the GOP race,” Perino said. “There were still more than 100,000 voters casting their ballots for former candidate Nikki Haley. Now, you might remember she suspended her campaign last month after ballots had been printed.

Haley is no fan of the former president and has pointedly refused to endorse him. 

During a speech in Greeneville, South Carolina, in February, Haley angered MAGA supporters when she implied that Trump may develop dementia.

When she addressed the demanding nature of the presidency, she questioned whether entrusting the highest office to someone so old was suitable. She specifically referenced Trump and Biden.

Last week, Haley’s husband, Michael Haley, returned home after serving in the National Guard for a year. 

She posted family pictures on X, stating how “it’s been a long year but even longer without” her family being together” and that she is “thankful for Michael’s safe return and the end of a year-long prayer.”

Haley and her husband have been married for nearly 30 years and have two children, Rena and Nalin. 

Michael has also been deployed to Afghanistan and has been with the National Guard since 2006, holding the rank of major.