Budget Cuts May Kill SC Primary

South Carolina's first-in-the-South Republican primary may no longer be first in the South or even a primary next year thanks to money troubles. GOP Gov. Nikki Haley is expected to veto a budget proposal that provides state funding for the primary, the State reports. The move could force the party to opt for a caucus instead of holding the primary that has been won by every Republican nominee since Ronald Reagan.

The state GOP is a long way short of the $1.5 million needed to run the primary. Even if it raises the funds, a proposal for the state election commission to run the primary and bill the party is "as clear as mud" on essential details, the commission spokesman says. The party, however, insists that the primary other states would love to poach will go ahead. "This is a Republican state with Republican leaders,” the state GOP's executive director tells Politico. “We work together to get things done." (More Nikki Haley stories.)