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In a major political turnaround, insiders close to Nikki Haley suggest that she is set to halt her 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday. Her Super Tuesday defeat has left Donald Trump as the sole significant contender for the Republican nomination.
Three individuals with intimate knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly, indicated Haley’s imminent withdrawal. Her official announcement is expected Wednesday morning.
Despite her decision to suspend her campaign, Haley reportedly will not be endorsing Trump. Those briefed on her plans assert she will instead urge him to seek the backing of the coalition of moderate Republicans and independents who supported her candidacy.
Once South Carolina’s governor and a U.N. ambassador, Haley was the first notable challenger to Trump’s run when she declared her candidacy in February 2023. In her closing campaign arguments, she fervently cautioned the GOP against the perils of rallying behind Trump, whom she critiqued as too distracted by internal conflicts and vindictive grievances to effectively contest against incumbent President Joe Biden come the general elections.
Trump is now set to turn his attention fully to a potential November showdown with Biden, inching closer to the 1,215 delegate threshold needed to secure the Republican nomination as early as this month. Meanwhile, Haley’s withdrawal represents a significant, albeit anticipated, setback for moderate voters, donors, and party leaders who oppose Trump’s incendiary brand of politics. Haley found favor with moderates and educated constituents, both of whom are expected to play a crucial role in the general election. It remains to be seen whether Trump, who has pledged to ostracize Haley’s donors from his movement, can reconcile the deep fissures within the Republican Party.
Despite Trump’s claims of party unity, Haley’s spokesperson, Olivia Perez-Cubas, countered that unity requires addressing the concerns expressed by a significant portion of Republican primary voters apprehensive about Trump’s leadership. Addressing these concerns, she argues, will strengthen the GOP and the nation.
Haley’s 2024 presidential bid is noteworthy because she is the first woman to triumph in a Republican primary, with wins in Washington D.C. on Sunday and Vermont during Super Tuesday notwithstanding ultimate defeat.
Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaking at a campaign event in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Despite her assurances of remaining in the race through Super Tuesday, and extensive campaigning efforts, Haley could not derail Trump’s momentum towards an unprecedented third nomination. Even though she surpassed initial expectations by sustaining her campaign this long, her candidacy struggled to garner robust donor support, but she persisted and made great strides, even managing to raise over $12 million in February alone.
Haley’s consistency in opposing Trump and her foreign policy expertise, particularly brought to the forefront after the unexpected Hamas attack on Israel in October, failed to shift the trajectory of her campaign substantially. She successively articulated her grievances with Trump’s administration and heightened her visibility through her campaign, though not sufficiently to prevail over Trump’s dominant support base.
Haley, staunchly opposed to serving as Trump’s vice president and uninterested in a third-party candidacy, departs the presidential race having made her mark and potentially laying the groundwork for future political ambitions. Notwithstanding her withdrawal, Haley remains adamant about exercising her choice freely with regard to endorsing the eventual Republican nominee.
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Peoples reported from New York. Connect with Meg Kinnard on Twitter and Steve Peoples at Twitter.
FAQ Section
- Why is Nikki Haley suspending her campaign?
- Nikki Haley is suspending her campaign following significant defeats on Super Tuesday, effectively removing herself from contention and leaving Donald Trump as the primary remaining Republican candidate for the 2024 nomination.
- Will Nikki Haley endorse Donald Trump after suspending her campaign?
- No, Nikki Haley is not planning to endorse Donald Trump immediately following the suspension of her campaign.
- Did Nikki Haley have any significant wins during her campaign?
- Yes, Nikki Haley made history as the first woman to win a Republican primary, with victories in Washington D.C. and Vermont.
- How has Nikki Haley’s campaign impacted her political profile?
- Though her presidential bid has ended, Nikki Haley’s national profile has been elevated, potentially benefitting her in future political endeavors.
Conclusion
With Nikki Haley stepping down from the 2024 presidential race, the Republican field narrows significantly, leaving a clearer path for Donald Trump to secure the nomination. Her campaign highlighted the internal rifts within the GOP and the continued search for a candidate who can unify the party. Despite her departure, Haley’s presence in the race was a testament to the diversity of perspectives within the Republican landscape and her efforts may have long-term implications for her political trajectory and the party’s future.