Nikki Haley ended her 2024 bid on March 6, without backing the party’s presumptive nominee, President Donald Trump.
Shem delivered the news in a brief speech before supporters in Charleston, South Carolina.
“I am filled with the gratitude for the outpouring of support we’ve received from all across our great country. But the time has now come to suspend my campaign,” she said. “I said I wanted Americans to have their voices heard. I have done that. 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.”
Ms. Haley’s declaration follows the aftermath of Super Tuesday, the pivotal day in the presidential election cycle featuring numerous primaries. On this significant day, President Trump secured victories in all but one of the races, solidifying his position as the likely Republican nominee.
In acknowledging the former president’s formidable performance, Ms. Haley extended congratulations on his achievement and conveyed her well wishes. However, she refrained from offering a full endorsement, choosing to stop short of explicitly supporting his candidacy.
“I have always been a conservative Republican and supported the Republican nominee,” she said. “But on this question, as she did on so many others, Margaret Thatcher provided some good advice when she said, ‘Never just follow the crowd. Always make up your own mind.’
“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.”
In February 2023, the former South Carolina governor initiated her campaign, marking her as the foremost major GOP candidate to enter the race subsequent to President Trump. Notably, she held the distinction of being the sole female contender in the Republican contest.
Amidst a field boasting double-digit contenders, Ms. Haley initially grappled to gain momentum. However, her fortunes took a turn at the inaugural primary debate in August, where she experienced a breakout moment. It was during this event that her stance on abortion resonated with the more moderate audience.
Advocating a pragmatic approach, she emphasized that without a majority in the House, 60 Senate votes, and control of the White House, the GOP couldn’t enforce a nationwide abortion ban. Instead, she asserted that the focus should shift towards establishing consensus on banning late-term abortions, promoting adoptions, and ensuring access to contraceptives.
Concurrently, Ms. Haley maintained that medical professionals should be allowed to practice according to their consciences, and women should not face imprisonment for having abortions.
While this position drew criticism from conservative circles, deeming it inconsistent with Ms. Haley’s professed “unapologetically pro-life” stance, it was perceived as an olive branch by those with a more liberal viewpoint on the matter.
As the primary contests loomed, Ms. Haley steadily ascended in the polls, ultimately reaching a neck-and-neck position with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for second place. Although she secured the third position in Iowa, her remarks framed the race as a two-person battle, a sentiment validated by entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Mr. DeSantis, both opting out before the subsequent New Hampshire primary.
Despite facing an 11-point defeat in New Hampshire, Ms. Haley remained resolute, asserting that the race was “far from over,” and her campaign was “just getting started.” However, by the time she secured her first primary victory in the District of Columbia on March 3, the writing on the wall had been evident for some time.
On Super Tuesday, as the votes were tallied, it became increasingly expected that an announcement regarding the suspension of her campaign would follow shortly.