Simone Howard does not consider herself overtly political, but she made an exception in her thinking and voted in the District’s Republican Party presidential primary that took place March 1-3 because she wanted to cast a ballot for the candidate she believed in, former UN Ambassador and ex-South Carolina governor Nikki Haley.
“I voted for Nikki Haley,” Howard, a 61-year-old Ward 6 resident, said on March 3. “I do not agree with all her positions, but she is the only sane voice among the candidates. She can bring the country together. Besides, she is pro-life, like me.”
Howard’s vote was among Haley’s majority — 62.86% — to defeat former President Donald Trump, who had 33.22%. The District primary is the first win for Haley during the presidential primary season. Haley polled above 50% in the presidential field and as a result, all 19 of the District GOP delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee from July 15-18 will be for her.
The primary took place at The Madison Hotel in Northwest, the lone voting site.
The city’s primaries for all registered political parties including the Democrats, take place on June 4. That date, June 4, is too late for the Republican National Convention. National Republican Party rules prohibit primaries from occurring less than 45 days before the presidential nominating convention starts.
District Republicans only voted for presidential candidates from March 1-3.
District Democrats will choose their presidential preference and local offices during the June 4 primary. District Republicans will also have a primary for local offices on June 4, also.
District GOP officials reported 2,035 voters in the primary. Only registered District Republicans could participate in the primary. There was a mail-in option for residents in active military service, those unable to vote in person due to injuries suffered in the armed forces and overseas voters.
Alauria Jackson did not state who she voted for in the primary but expressed satisfaction with the process.
“The reason I voted is because I wanted my voice to be heard,” Jackson, 34, said, sporting a “I Voted” sticker.
