Raymond Baccari
Editor-in-Chief
The Republican primary for the 2024 presidential election is taking shape. Former Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has formally announced her candidacy for president of the United States.
“The Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again,” Haley said in her announcement video. “It’s time for a new generation of leadership. To rediscover fiscal responsibility, secure our border and strengthen our country, our pride and our purpose.”
Before becoming former President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the U.N. in 2017, Haley won South Carolina’s 2010 gubernatorial election, becoming both the state’s first-ever female governor and youngest-governor in the country after being sworn in in 2011. She was then reelected to a second term four years later in 2014.
“People here threw out the old, tired political establishment and demanded accountability for their tax dollars,” Haley said. “Industry reports called us the ‘Beast of the Southeast,’ which I loved. People came by the thousands for fresh starts, moms and dads held their heads up high, children learned that it was always a great day in South Carolina.”
Haley also made reference to her experience when it comes to foreign policy from her time as U.N. Ambassador.
“Some people look at America and see vulnerability,” she said. “The socialist left sees an opportunity to rewrite history. China and Russia are on the march. They all think we can be bullied, kicked around. You should know this about me, I don’t put up with bullies, and when you kick back – it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels.”
An event launching the campaign will take place Wednesday in Charleston, South Carolina. Following her event in Charleston are a number of town halls in two early GOP primary states: Iowa and New Hampshire.
Haley would become the first-ever female president of the United States if elected. She is also the first woman of color to seek the GOP presidential nomination.
Haley joins a field of GOP presidential candidates that’s expected to increase in the coming weeks and months. Currently, Trump, former Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey, Michigan businessman Perry Johnson and former Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton have thrown their hats in the race.
Several other Republicans are expected to jump in the race such as former Vice President Mike Pence, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and more.