Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina Governor, is set to announce her withdrawal from the Republican presidential race on Wednesday, sources familiar with her plans confirm to CNN. This move clears the way for former President Donald Trump to take the lead. Although Haley is not expected to endorse Trump at this time, she will call on him to earn the support of the voters who previously backed her.
Haley’s decision to exit the race comes after a series of losses in GOP nominating contests on Super Tuesday, culminating in her home state of South Carolina. Despite her efforts to stay competitive and differentiate herself from Trump, she was unable to gain enough momentum to keep up with the former president’s dominant performance in the primaries.
Throughout her campaign, Haley made history as the first Republican woman to win primary contests in Vermont and the District of Columbia. However, her victories were not enough to secure a significant delegate count against Trump, who continued to attract strong support from the Republican base.
Even as Haley sharpened her attacks on Trump, questioning his mental fitness and positioning him as one of two “grumpy old men” alongside President Joe Biden, she found little success in swaying Republican voters away from the former president. Trump’s claims of Election fraud in the 2020 election did not deter his supporters, who remained loyal to him throughout the primary season.
Haley’s exit from the race underscores the unity of the Republican Party behind Trump, as other former candidates quickly consolidated around him and endorsed his candidacy. Despite receiving some high-profile endorsements and raising significant funds for her campaign, Haley struggled to break through the strong support for Trump within the party.
After facing criticism for various missteps, including controversial comments about the Civil War and race relations in the US, Haley’s campaign ultimately fell short in the face of Trump’s overwhelming popularity among Republican voters. As she prepares to formally exit the race, Haley leaves behind a legacy as a trailblazing Republican leader, but one who was unable to overcome the Trump juggernaut in the 2024 presidential race.
Read More Politics-news/” target=”_blank”>Politics News
