(NewsNation) — Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is facing an uphill battle in her home state of South Carolina as she trails former President Donald Trump in polls ahead of the state’s GOP primary, and the support of college-aged Generation Z voters could determine the fate of her White House aspirations.
Among more than three million registered voters in South Carolina, fewer than 250,000 are under 25 years old, comprising about 7.6% of the total.
Despite Haley’s alumni status at Clemson University, there remains uncertainty about whether some students believe in her ability to succeed as the 47th president of the United States.
Haley’s campaign visited the campus, where she was a student nearly 30 years ago, earlier this week.
NewsNation spoke with several members of the Clemson College Republicans club, which endorsed Trump over Haley. The endorsement serves as another indication Haley may struggle to win Saturday’s primary.
“I’m pretty sure that Trump is going to be winning this primary,” said Jane Khine, a Clemson College Republicans member. “I know I’ll be voting in it and a lot of my fellow club members will be there to cast our votes for Trump. I think he has such a level of energy behind him.”
“Since Nikki Haley was governor here, most people know what she’s like as an executive, and my impression has been that most people never really liked her,” said Clemson College Republicans member Peregrin Darden. “I’ve heard more bad takes on her than I’ve heard good.”
Students also said there was more excitement among their classmates for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a candidate than Haley.
However, Haley’s loyal supporters argue the race extends beyond South Carolina, emphasizing the numerous nominating contests yet to come.
“After New Hampshire, this has never been just about South Carolina. This has always been about South Carolina, Michigan, Super Tuesday,” said Republican Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire. “The fact that two states or maybe even three states might go for Trump doesn’t mean you ignore 47 states.”
Following South Carolina’s GOP primary Saturday, Haley intends to visit seven states in the span of a week.