TL/DR –
The Republican presidential primary season has seen Donald Trump and Nikki Haley as the main candidates, with the Michigan primary serving as a pivot point for the season. Donald Trump is the substantial favorite in Michigan, with polls showing him leading Haley 72% to 27% among GOP primary voters. However, the upcoming delegate allocation, which will be a “winner take most” or “winner take all” model, means if Trump continues to lead, he could clinch a majority of delegates by March, making it challenging for Haley to change the dynamics of the race.
CNN—
A demanding Republican presidential primary season marks a significant change with Tuesday’s Michigan primary. Limited attention on Michigan by candidates Donald Trump and Nikki Haley paves the way for understanding the unfolding GOP primary process.
Polling favors Trump in Michigan, leading Haley 72% to 27% among likely GOP primary voters according to a CNN/SSRS poll conducted end of last year.
Despite closing the gap in New Hampshire and South Carolina, Haley faces time constraints in Michigan. Last-minute campaigning and ad airing mark her efforts.
Unchanged support for Trump in Michigan echoes national trends, making this the first state where Trump’s poll numbers exceed 70%, consistent with national surveys.
Haley’s limited Michigan campaign time follows three days after the South Carolina primary. Rapid nationalization of the campaign limits focused attention on individual states.
The rapid assignment of more than two-thirds of all GOP delegates over the next three weeks further intensifies the campaign.
If Trump claims significant wins, he will secure most, if not all, delegates in states with “winner take most” or “winner take all” rules – already proven in South Carolina.
Trump’s delegate accumulation could be rapid if polling from Marquette University Law School and Quinnipiac University proves accurate, suggesting a 60 point lead over Haley.
State-level trends from California and Texas, the biggest delegate prizes, reveal Trump’s lead over Haley in California and Texas polling.
If polls hold, Trump could secure a delegate majority by mid-March. Haley faces an uphill battle to change her national standing as the GOP primary moves forward.
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