In the upcoming South Carolina primary, voters are faced with a dilemma. While some may be tempted to cast their ballots for Nikki Haley in hopes of narrowing her chances against Donald Trump, Democrats are urging their voters not to do so out of fear that she would be a more intimidating opponent against Joe Biden in a White House run.

South Carolina's open primary system allows voters to participate in either the Republican or Democratic primary, giving them the choice to attend either one on the day. With Joe Biden considered a safe bet for the presidential nomination, Democrats in South Carolina may be tempted to skip their own primary and cast their vote for Nikki Haley in hopes of weakening her odds against Donald Trump.

However, Democrats in the state are warning residents that this would be a mistake. They have been focusing their efforts on discouraging voters from supporting Haley, dubbing her the "mother of the MAGA movement." Colleen Condon, the South Carolina Democrats' first nonbinary vice chair, even shared her personal experience, stating, "I had to sue her to get married." She pleaded with party members to refrain from voting for Haley in the primary.

In February 2023, at a town hall in New Hampshire, Nikki Haley criticized Ron DeSantis's controversial "Don't Say Gay" measure in Florida, stating that it didn't go far enough. She argued that discussing gender before third grade was still too young. While there is no indication that a significant number of Democrats are being swayed to vote for Haley, those considering it feel compelled to do so due to the uncooperative nature of their own primary.

Despite being the last candidate standing between Donald Trump and the Republican nomination, Nikki Haley faces long odds in her home state. According to a Washington Post-Monmouth University poll, Trump currently holds a 26-point lead over Haley in South Carolina.

South Carolina Democrats are working hard to turn out a show of force for President Biden in their party's primary. They want to remind their voters that Nikki Haley is not the moderate Republican that some may believe her to be. In recent weeks, party leaders have been highlighting Haley's ultraconservative policies during her two terms as governor, labeling her the "mother of the MAGA movement."

Haley has shown strength with Democrats and independents in the first two nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. She managed to narrow the field to a one-on-one race against former President Donald J. Trump after other Republican rivals dropped out. However, winning over the Republican electorate in her home state will be a challenge, as they are more favorable towards Trump.

In an effort to cut down Trump's lead in South Carolina, Haley is launching a new campaign with the theme "A Great Day in South Carolina." The campaign aims to highlight her record as governor while also combating Trump's lies. Haley's spokesperson, Brittany Yanick, stated that the campaign will remind voters about her record of taking on the establishment and fighting for taxpayers.

Haley's new campaign comes at a critical time, as South Carolina may be her last opportunity to convince voters and donors that she would be a stronger GOP candidate against President Biden than Trump. A Monmouth University-Washington Post poll shows Trump with a 26-point lead over Haley in the state.

Haley's campaign will launch with a new 30-second digital ad emphasizing her accomplishments as governor. She highlights cutting taxes, signing tough illegal immigration bills, passing voter ID and tort reform, and moving people from welfare to work. Haley has been delivering this message in recent campaign stops across South Carolina, aiming to persuade voters that she can replicate her successes on the national stage.