Former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has announced that she will suspend her presidential campaign after facing defeat on Super Tuesday. This decision leaves Donald Trump as the last major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination.
Haley, who initially entered the race in February 2023, spent the final phase of her campaign cautioning the GOP against supporting Trump. She believed that Trump’s approach was too chaotic and focused on personal grievances rather than defeating President Joe Biden in the general election.
With Haley out of the race, Trump can now concentrate on his expected rematch with Biden in November. He is poised to secure the necessary 1,215 delegates to secure the Republican nomination later this month.
Haley’s departure represents a setback for voters, donors, and Republican Party officials who opposed Trump’s “Make America Great Again” politics. She had strong support among moderates and college-educated voters, key demographics for the general election. The unity of the Republican Party remains uncertain, especially with Trump banning Haley donors from his movement.
Despite the defeat, Haley was the first woman to win a Republican primary in the 2024 election cycle. She managed to beat Trump in the District of Columbia and Vermont. However, her campaign ultimately fell short in the face of Trump’s momentum towards a third consecutive nomination.
Haley’s decision to run against Trump in 2024 came after initially ruling it out. She emphasized the need for economic stability and generational change in American politics, advocating for competency tests for politicians over the age of 75, a move seen as targeting both Trump and Biden.
While Haley’s allies acknowledge her campaign exceeding expectations, her exit from the race marks a significant development in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
