Nikki Haley to campaign across Grand Strand on Thursday

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley will be on the Grand Strand this week for a full day of campaigning just hours ahead of South Carolina’s Republican primary.

Haley’s “Beast of the Southeast Bus Tour” will pull into The George Hotel in Georgetown at 3 p.m. on Thursday and then stop by 44 & King in Myrtle Beach at 6 p.m.

The former South Carolina governor is crisscrossing her home state with eight events over the next three days, capping each with a rally-style appearance, according to a campaign itinerary.

Her stops include:

• Greenville and Clemson on Tuesday

• North Augusta and Beaufort on Wednesday

• Georgetown and Myrtle Beach on Thursday

• Moncks Corner and Mount Pleasant on Friday

The 44 & King restaurant is owned by Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune’s husband, Brown. The mayor has been among Haley’s most avid surrogates, donating more than $33,000 either directly to her campaign or through pro-Haley PACs, according to Federal Election Commission data.

Haley told News13’s Bob Juback in an exclusive interview last week that she intends to stay in the race even if she loses to Donald Trump here.

Haley looking for ‘competitive’ showing in South Carolina GOP primary

“I think we have to be competitive. You know, we started with 2% … We went to New Hampshire, we got 43% of the vote. That’s 43% that Trump as a Republican incumbent didn’t get here in South Carolina. We want to be competitive again as we go into Michigan and Super Tuesday. The goal is just to keep closing that gap,” Haley said on Feb. 12

Trump, who leads Haley by more than 30 points in South Carolina, has a busy schedule of his own ahead of the state’s GOP primary on Saturday.

The former president is flying into Greenville on Tuesday for a public appearance. He will have a “Get Out the Vote” rally in Rock Hill Friday afternoon before heading to Columbia, where he will be the keynote speaker at the Black Conservative Federation Annual Honors Gala. Trump is also planning to attend an election night watch party in Columbia.

Trump is urging supporters to vote in force in Saturday’s primary. A dominant showing, he said during a rally at Coastal Carolina University would “send a signal for November.”

News13 will have a crew at Haley’s Myrtle Beach appearance.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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