Former Republican governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, is facing a challenging task as she seeks to secure the support of Democratic voters in her bid to slow down Donald Trump's march towards the GOP nomination. Despite Trump's strong performances in Iowa and New Hampshire, Haley hopes to expand her coalition beyond anti-Trump Republicans and independent-minded voters, possibly including some disenchanted Democrats who are not fully committed to re-electing President Joe Biden.

South Carolina's primary poses a difficult political equation for Haley, as there is little evidence of significant crossover voting in the state. Former South Carolina Republican Party Chairman, Katon Dawson, stated that Democrats typically do not vote in Republican primaries, just as Republicans do not participate in Democratic primaries.

Haley's campaign, however, aims to broaden the Republican base and attract new voters, including conservatives, independents, and dissatisfied Democrats. Her spokesperson, Olivia Perez-Cubas, emphasized the need for the Republican Party to focus on addition rather than subtraction, citing Trump's losses in previous elections that should have been won. The campaign intends to bring in new voters to forge a path to victory.

South Carolina presents a unique situation for voters, as they can choose to participate in either party's primary. If voters abstain from the Democratic primary, Haley's team plans to identify and target those who have yet to vote in the state. Alex Stroman, a former executive director of the South Carolina GOP, believes there is ample time for Haley to boost turnout among independents, moderates, and true Republicans, potentially propelling her into subsequent primary contests.

While some Democrats have expressed a willingness to vote for Haley to thwart Trump's nomination, the South Carolina Democratic Party has minimal interest in supporting her. Clay Middleton, a Democratic operative advising the Biden campaign in South Carolina, argued that Haley's tenure as governor was not beneficial for the state and questioned why Democrats would support her bid for the presidency.

The Biden campaign remains confident that Haley's stance on abortion and her initial reluctance to acknowledge that "slavery" caused the Civil War will alienate Democratic voters. Lauren Hitt, a senior spokesperson for the Biden campaign, stated that South Carolina Democrats firmly reject Haley's positions on these issues.

Despite South Carolina's significant population growth in recent years and the influx of new voters, polling suggests that Trump maintains a substantial lead over Haley among GOP primary voters. Trump's stronghold in the state poses a challenge for Haley to carve out a victory.

The question of what constitutes a win for Haley in the South Carolina primary remains uncertain. With limited time to sway voters, Haley will need to strategize and make a strong impression over the next few weeks. However, in a rapidly evolving political landscape, the outcome of the primary remains unpredictable.