Indian-American governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley has registered a convincing win over her nearest Democratic rival Vincent Sheheen to win a second term.
While counting of votes was still on, the 42-year-old daughter of Indian immigrants was declared the winner based on exit poll data projections and preliminary counting.
She was cruising ahead with more than 55 per cent of the popular votes as against 41 per cent garnered by Sheheen, according to the latest reports.
She is only the second Indian-American governors in the United States, the other being fellow Republican Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.
The victory has boost her profile in the Republican party at the national level. During the election campaign, top Republican leaders, including the former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and the Governors of Louisiana and New Jersey - Bobby Jindal and Chris Christie - respectively, had canvassed in her favour.
Haley is considered one of the most popular governors in the US. She raised more than USD8 million in her re-election campaign as against USD3.5 million by her rival Sheheen.
