Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) announced this week that she was exiting the Republican primary for president after a string of defeats in this Tuesday’s ‘Super Tuesday’ primaries. Despite exiting the race, the former governor declined to endorse former President Donald Trump.
The former governor made the decision after losing all but one of the primaries on Tuesday. She lost all but two contests during her candidacy.
“I said I wanted Americans to have their voices heard. I have done it. I have no regrets. And although I will no longer be a candidate, I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in,” she said in a statement Wednesday.
“It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. And I hope he does that,” said the former governor.
“This is now his time for choosing,” said Haley, referencing a 1964 speech by former President Ronald Reagan.
I end my campaign with the same words I began it from the Book of Joshua. I direct them to all Americans, but especially to so many of the women and girls out there who put their faith in our campaign.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For God… pic.twitter.com/XAwgOGzKdy
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 6, 2024
After Haley’s announcement, Trump called for the GOP to “unite.”
Haley made a pledge ahead of the first presidential debate hosted by the Republican National Convention (RNC) to support the eventual Republican nominee. However, the candidate has said in recent weeks that she no longer felt obligated to the promise after recent changes at the RNC.
Haley made the comments this weekend during a press interview, arguing that with the resignation of longtime RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel the promise no longer applies. Haley mentioned potential leadership changes at the organization, including the former president’s backing of his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to be the RNC’s co-chair.
When Haley made the comments Sunday, she put them in context of being in the race, saying that such talk of an endorsement meant “talking about a loss. I don’t think like that.”
She did state her belief that “Donald Trump or Joe Biden should be president. I don’t think we need two candidates in their 80s.”
“The RNC pledge, I mean, at the time of the debate, we had to take it to where would you support the nominee, in order to get on that debate stage, you said yes. The RNC is now not the same RNC. Now it’s Trump’s daughter-in-law,” Haley said.
