Former President Donald Trump is trying to remove the other Republican candidate Nikki Haley from the election race through the primary elections in South Carolina.
Ms. Haley is Mr. Trump's only competition for the Republican presidential nomination. The former US ambassador to the UN, Haley intends to survive until the elections on March 5, the so-called “Super Tuesday”, the day when primary elections are held in most US states.
According to polls, the former US President has a clear advantage in South Carolina, where the primary election is held on Saturday, despite the fact that Mrs. Haley has governed as governor of this state for six years.
Although Ms. Haley's chances of advancing in the presidential race look increasingly dim, her campaign leaders insist they will continue to campaign regardless of the outcome.
Below you can read an analysis of the chances of the two candidates in the race to challenge President Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate, in the November election.
DONALD TRUMP
Mr. Trump wants to end the race in the Republican ranks so that he can fully focus on the race against President Biden.
Already, Mr. Trump's campaign has shown signs that it is turning its attention to the general election through increased attacks on the president and through efforts to take control of the Republican National Committee.
Mr. Trump faces some weighty issues even within his own party. Ms. Haley's candidacy has highlighted a deep divide among Republicans over Mr. Trump's candidacy. A fairly large part of this electorate, mostly voters with a high level of education, who live in wealthy neighborhoods, do not want to be represented by a candidate with values like those represented by Mr. Trump.
His campaign managers should be worried about the possibility of this group of voters switching to Mr. Biden, supporting a possible third candidate or opting out of the November election.
Mr. Trump must prove that he is in control of his party and that he is in a position to win the race against Mr. Biden. A win over Ms. Haley in her home state would help him.
NIKKI HALEY
It will be harder for Ms. Haley to justify staying in the race if she loses South Carolina to Mr. Trump, following losses to him in Iowa and New Hampshire. Pressure for her to withdraw from the race will grow rapidly.
But for Ms Haley, who served as US ambassador to the UN during the Trump administration, staying in the race is also an expression of support for Republican voters who do not support Mr Trump.
She also has a platform to voice her concerns about Mr. Trump's approach to national security, which she has highlighted even more after Mr. Trump suggested he would allow Russia a free hand with NATO countries. that do not meet their obligations for defense costs.
Ms. Haley, however, must also think about the consequences that a series of losses could have on her chances of running again in 4 years.
Her campaign has pointed to a number of primary contests to be held on Tuesday, March 5 where she is seen as the favorite, including Texas, North Carolina and Virginia.