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Donald Trump used various methods to win the South Carolina primary. PhotoReuters
WASHINGTON – Donald Trump's landslide primary victory over Nikki Haley in his home state of South Carolina was the result of a ruthless and methodical campaign.
Despite a string of wins in the primaries, it was crucial for Trump to win South Carolina, a key early Republican state that often predicts the party's nominee. In contrast to 2016, Trump faces a rival who has won two terms as governor of the state and is still popular locally.
How Did Trump Beat Nikki Haley in South Carolina?
1. Isolate Haley by Seeking Support from State Officials
Photo/Reuters
The plan was to isolate Haley politically by locking in the support of a number of officials in the state as quickly as possible to demonstrate publicly that she had no path to the presidency through South Carolina.
Trump's win on Saturday wasn't a landslide but he still beat him by 20 percentage points on home soil.
“We're facing a governor who is going to serve two terms. That requires a show of force. We need support to stop donors and voters looking at Nikki,” a senior Trump campaign adviser told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
2. Collecting Thousands of Voter Data to Kill Competition
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Chris LaCivita, one of Trump's campaign managers, said a series of endorsements from big names played a key role in killing off the race in the state.
LaCivita said another important part of Trump's success was collecting data on thousands of voters who attended the former president's rallies.
“What happened in this state after we were on the plane. That's where the real work begins,” LaCivita said.
Working out of a nondescript office in North Charleston, the campaign staff has been working hard for months to use voter data to communicate regularly with potential voters. Trump used a similar plan to win in Iowa and New Hampshire.
3. Embarrassing Haley
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