LOS ANGELES (AP) — After a symbolic snub in Nevada’s primary, Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign headed Wednesday to California, where she faces another…
After a symbolic snub in Nevada’s primary, Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign headed Wednesday to California, where she faces another longshot bid against former President Donald Trump and again sought to tamp down any talk that she might leave the race.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m in this for the long haul,” Haley said to cheers during an indoor rally in Los Angeles’ historic Hollywood neighborhood, where she did not mention the embarrassing Nevada outcome.
With mail voting underway in California, supporters who turned out on a rainy night were eager for Haley to continue her one-on-one rivalry with Trump and shrugged off the Nevada setback as insignificant and soon to be forgotten.
“I hope she fights,” said Democratic voter Steven Whiddon, who works in film and TV production. Though he can’t vote in the state GOP primary, which is open only to registered Republican voters, he’s backing Haley because “she’s sane, she’s practical.”
The Nevada vote was “completely rigged by Trump supporters,” he said. Haley “didn’t lose a thing.”
As the GOP contest has winnowed to two major candidates, Haley has embraced the role of defiant Trump foil and self-styled establishment outsider.
