Former US ambassador Nikki Haley will likely suspend her primary bid, paving the way for Donald Trump to emerge as the sole Republican candidate for the presidential nomination, according to reports. It is expected that she will make this announcement during a speech around 15:00 GMT on Wednesday, in Charleston, South Carolina, the state capital where she previously served as governor.

The decision to withdraw from the race follows an unexpected victory by the US leader over Donald Trump in the Republican primary in Vermont, marking her second triumph in the 2024 White House race.

Donald Trump, 77, maintains a commanding lead in all other states, almost certain of securing the Republican nomination. He expressed jubilation at his “amazing night” during the Super Tuesday primaries, where he clinched easy victories, setting the stage for what appears to be an inevitable rematch with President Joe Biden in November”s election.

Haley, who appeals strongly to affluent suburban voters and university graduates, was poised to secure only a few of the delegates necessary for clinching the nomination. Despite her background as a former South Carolina governor, Haley has struggled to pose significant challenges to Trump”s nomination bid since her distant third-place finish in the initial Iowa contest back in January.

In a major showdown in the 2024 race, former President Trump dominated by winning 14 out of 15 states in contention, with Haley managing to thwart him only in the northeastern state of Vermont. Trump”s pursuit of a second term in the Oval Office remained undeterred.

Meanwhile, Biden secured victories across the board in the Democratic “Super Tuesday” primaries, albeit facing no significant competition. The 81-year-old will now shift his focus to his pivotal State of the Union address scheduled for Thursday.