Despite 2 losses, Nikki Haley tries to claim victory thus far in the Republican presidential race

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Despite losing both Iowa and New Hampshire to Donald Trump,Nikki Haley is nevertheless trying to frame those losses as a victory and vowing to head off a “coronation” of Trump as the 2024 Republican nominee.

The path through the next states to vote, however, may not be any easier.

“The political class wanted us to believe that this race was over before it even began,” Haley posted Tuesday night on X, after a speech in which she noted she was far from ready to cede any ground. “You proved them wrong, and I am so grateful.”

Haley did perform better in Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary than she had in the Iowa caucuses a week earlier, where she finished third, well behind Trump and only slightly down from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has since shuttered his campaign.