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Nikki Haley (here on Sunday in Portland, Maine): Surprise success in Vermont

Photo: Joel Page / REUTERS

In the US Republican primaries, presidential candidate Nikki Haley achieved a surprising, respectable success in the state of Vermont.

Former President Donald Trump's intra-party rival won the state in the northeast of the USA on the so-called Super Tuesday, as US media reported.

After almost all votes were counted, the former ambassador to the United Nations had around 50 percent, while Trump got just under 46 percent.

The former governor of the state of South Carolina prevented Trump from winning in all 15 states that voted on Super Tuesday.

She was neck-and-neck with Trump in Vermont.

The major US broadcasters only announced her the winner hours after the polls closed.

Trump's winning streak

However, this success - Haley's second primary victory after the one in the Capital District of Washington, DC on Sunday - is likely to be more symbolic.

In the primaries on “Super Tuesday,” Trump won in at least twelve of the 15 states.

It is therefore almost certain that the 77-year-old will win the Republican presidential race and challenge incumbent Joe Biden in the presidential election on November 5th.

Despite various scandals, escapades and a chaotic term as president, the 77-year-old has great support among the party base.

Even major legal problems in the election year – four indictments in criminal proceedings and significant damages in civil proceedings – have so far not harmed Trump politically.

Haley's campaign team reacts cautiously

After Trump's winning streak, Haley's campaign team reacted soberly.

The campaign team's spokeswoman, Olivia Perez-Cubas, said on Wednesday night that they felt "honored" to have received the "support of millions of Americans across the country, including in Vermont."

In every state there are still large numbers of Republican voters who express their "deep concern about Donald Trump."

This is not the unity that the party needs for its success.

Haley herself initially did not comment after the important primary election day.

It was unclear whether she would stay in the race after Super Tuesday – or throw in the towel.

The 52-year-old actually has no realistic chance of winning the Republican primary.

Supporters of the ex-president have been calling on the 52-year-old for weeks to give up and make way for Trump.

(Read more about the primaries in the live blog here).

aeh/AFP/dpa