Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has ended her bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, effectively ceding the party's nod to former President Donald Trump after a string of primary victories. Haley's decision to suspend her campaign on Wednesday comes a day after Trump secured a near-sweep of Super Tuesday contests, leaving him on the cusp of clinching the nomination.
"I am filled with 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," Haley said in a speech. "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."
Haley, who served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump from 2017 to 2018, was the first major Republican to challenge the former president more than a year ago. Her campaign gained momentum after strong debate performances last summer and fall, but she ultimately failed to overcome Trump's enduring support within the Republican base.
While Haley refrained from endorsing Trump on Wednesday, she acknowledged his likely status as the GOP nominee. "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," she said. "At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people."
Trump's campaign press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, expressed hope that Haley would endorse the former president, stating, "It is beyond time for Nikki Haley to get out of this race and to unify around the president."
Haley's decision to end her campaign follows a disappointing Super Tuesday performance, where she won only the state of Vermont, with Trump claiming victories in every other contest. Her sole other victory came in the low-turnout GOP primary in Washington, D.C.
As the race narrowed to a two-person contest, Haley amplified her criticism of Trump, labeling him "diminished" and "unhinged" and suggesting he was no longer the same person as in 2016. She touted herself as a more electable alternative for the GOP, citing polls that showed her leading President Joe Biden while Trump trailed.
However, Haley's moderate and independent-leaning coalition ultimately proved insufficient to overcome Trump's enduring appeal among Republican primary voters. With her exit, Trump now faces a clear path to the Republican nomination, barring any legal challenges that could hinder his campaign.
The focus now shifts to the general election, where Trump is expected to face off against incumbent President Biden. Haley's departure from the race underscores the Republican Party's continued embrace of Trump's divisive brand of politics, setting the stage for a hard-fought battle for the White House in the months ahead.
