WASHINGTON — A steady stream of D.C. Republican voters filed into the Madison Hotel in Northwest, D.C. Friday to cast ballots in the Republican primary. Over three days, voters will select the man or woman they want to face off against President Joe Biden in the general election in November.
Former UN Ambassador and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley also held at rally at the Madison Hotel just feet from where voters were casting ballots.
“Great to see everybody, and who says there are no Republicans in DC,” said Haley to a packed room.
Haley needs 1,215 delegates to secure the Republican nomination for president. Currently, Haley has secured 20 delegates compared to former President Donald Trump’s 110, according to the Associated Press. Despite calls for Haley to drop out of the race, she said she plans to campaign until the end.
“When I started the race, ... we had 14 people in the race," Haley said. "I defeated a dozen of the fellas. I just have one more I have to catch up to."
WUSA 9 spoke with voters Friday who said they overwhelmingly support Haley and her bid for the White House.
“I think she’s the Republican candidate that’s going on in the ring and also the U.S. as a world leader," said Brian Reed, who added that the ongoing war in Ukraine and international relations concerned him most as a voter. "This is not the time for us to be stepping away from that role and I think she understands that."
Another voter told WUSA 9 he felt alienated by MAGA Republicans and Trump, and that if Haley failed to win, he would sit out the general election.
“I oppose Trump over character issues like Mitt Romney said," the voter who asked not to be named said. "Character is an essential part of being president and Trump doesn’t have any character."
Haley is campaigning throughout the DMV ahead of "Super Tuesday" when 16 states -- including Virginia -- will hold primary elections. On Thursday, Haley held campaign rallies in Richmond and Falls Church. During her speech, Haley took shots at both Trump and President Joe Biden. The former South Carolina governor called out Biden’s age and Trump’s legal woes.
“Do we want more of the same or do we want to go in a new direction,” Haley asked the crowd.
Trump will also hold a rally in Richmond Saturday.
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