In a recent interview with Politico Magazine, former South Carolina Republican Governor Mark Sanford expressed his belief that former President Donald Trump holds a significant advantage over fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley in the state's presidential primary. Citing Trump's strong presence and endorsements in the state, Sanford remarked that it would practically take "a meteor strike" for Haley to defeat Trump. With Trump leading Haley 65% to 30% among likely South Carolina GOP primary voters according to a CBS News/YouGov poll, the uphill battle for Haley is evident.

Sanford pointed out Haley's struggles with maintaining relationships within the state's political sphere, referencing instances where prominent figures chose to support Trump over her candidacy. Despite both Haley and Trump actively campaigning in South Carolina after Trump's successes in Iowa and New Hampshire, Haley faces the risk of losing ground to Trump, who currently maintains polling advantages in delegate-rich states like California and Texas.

The relationship between Sanford and Haley, once mentor and mentee in South Carolina politics, has reportedly become strained over time. Sanford, who famously admitted to an extramarital affair during his time as governor, highlighted the challenges Haley might face in securing a victory against Trump, emphasizing the difficulties of overcoming Trump's existing popularity among GOP voters.

As Haley navigates the complexities of the upcoming presidential primary, Sanford's observations shed light on the significant challenges she faces in overcoming Trump's dominance within the Republican Party.