COLUMBIA (AP) -- South Carolina legislator Nikki Haley has weathered unsubstantiated claims of physical relationships with two men to advance to a Republican primary runoff with U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett.
Haley nearly won Tuesday's primary outright, but fell just short of the majority needed to avoid the June 22 runoff. The winner will face Democratic state Sen. Vincent Sheheen in November.
The adultery claims against Haley seemed only to solidify support for the 38-year-old mother of two. She is trying to become the first woman to win a party's nomination for governor in South Carolina.
Haley was at the back of the pack until she picked up an endorsement by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin last month.
The winner in the fall will replace term-limited Gov. Mark Sanford.
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