Charleston, South Carolina (AP) — Nikki Haley The former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador announced her candidacy for president on Tuesday, becoming the first major challenger to the former president. donald trump 2024 Republican nomination.
The announcement is videomarks a change of direction for a former Trump Cabinet official. said two years ago She said she would not challenge her former White House boss in 2024.but she she changed her mind In recent months, among other things, he has nodded to Trump’s age of 76, citing the country’s economic problems and the need for a “generational change.”
“You should know me. I don’t put up with bullies. And when I wear heels, kicking back hurts even more,” said Haley. I’m Nikki Haley and I’m running for president.”
Haley, 51, is the first in a long line of Republicans expected to launch their 2024 campaign in the coming months. Among them are Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.
president Joe Biden He has delayed the race for the Democratic nomination by stating that he intends to seek reelection in 2024.
Haley regularly boasts of her track record defying political expectations, stating, “I’ve never lost an election. I’m not even going to start now.”
If elected, Haley would be the first female president of the United States and the first American president of Indian descent.
The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley grew up enduring racist provocations in small-town South Carolina, the effects of which have long been noted in her personal and political arcs.
In 2004, she was an accountant when she defeated the longest-serving member of the South Carolina House of Representatives to launch her first run for public office. After her three terms, although she had little recognition statewide, Haley launched a long-running gubernatorial campaign against large electoral districts. She is an experienced politician.
She had many high-profile endorsements, including incumbent South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a Tea Party darling.
With her 2010 victory, Haley became South Carolina’s first female and minority governor and, at age 38, the youngest in the nation. She won her speaking slot at the 2012 Republican National Convention, and in 2016 gave Barack the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address.
A defining moment in Haley’s time as governor was 2015 murder of nine black parishioners By a self-proclaimed white supremacist who was photographed holding a Confederate flag at a church in Charleston.
For years, Haley resisted calls to remove the Confederate flag from the Capitol grounds, throwing rival pressure for its removal as a desperate stunt. With the support of leading Republicans in the United States, Haley advocated legislation to remove the flag. came down Less than a month after the murder.
In the 2016 presidential primary, Haley was an early supporter of Florida Senator Marco Rubio and later transitioned to Texas Senator Ted Cruz. She ultimately said she would endorse her party’s candidate.
Shortly after Trump won, he appointed Haley as ambassador to the United Nations. This allowed Lieutenant Governor Henry, the first statewide elected official to endorse Trump’s campaign in 2016, to reward McMaster. Hayley’s resignation paved the way for McMaster’s promotion to governor.
With Senate confirmation, Haley became the first Indian-American in the presidential cabinet.
During her nearly two-year tenure, Haley strengthened her public image and at times clashed with other government officials.
One of her most memorable moments as UN ambassador came in 2018, when National Economic Council Chairman Larry Kudlow said Haley was “temporary” when he said Russian sanctions were imminent. After suggesting that he suffered from “confusion”.
“With all due respect, I’m not confused,” she replied. The first half of the quote became the title of her 2019 memoir.
Her departure from the job later that year fueled speculation that she might either run for Trump in 2020 or replace Pence on the ticket.
Instead, Haley returned to South Carolina, bought a house on the wealthy enclave of Keawah Island, joined the board of directors of aircraft manufacturer Boeing, began speaking out, and wrote two books, including a memoir. I have written.
Haley initially questioned Trump’s political future after the January 6, 2021 riots, but said she would not challenge him in 2024. He then reversed his course, citing inflation, crime, drugs and a “disturbed foreign policy” as reasons. To consider a White House campaign.
in the meantime his south carolina stop Trump told WIS-TV last month that Haley called to ask for his opinion on running for president. Trump pointed out that she had previously promised not to oppose him, but she said she didn’t try to stop her.
“She said she would never go against me because I was the best president ever, but people change their opinions and change what’s on their minds,” Trump said. , if your heart wants to do it, you must do it.”
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Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.