History-making SC GOP primary advances Haley as 1st woman, Indian-American nominee for gov.

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SC Republicans tap Haley for gov, make history

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nikki Haley has won South Carolina’s Republican nomination for governor.

Haley beat U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett in Tuesday’s runoff, riding the backlash against the state’s notoriously rough-and-tumble politics.

She picked up the support of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and popular former South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford.

Haley is the first South Carolina woman to lead a major party ticket and will face Democratic state Sen. Vincent Sheheen to succeed term-limited Gov. Mark Sanford.

Haley was a close ally of Sanford, but the 38-year-old Indian-American lawmaker distanced herself after he admitted an affair with an Argentine woman.

Barrett raised more money, but unproven allegations of two affairs only seemed to solidify Haley’s support.