In a significant political development, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is set to announce her withdrawal from the Republican presidential race on Wednesday, according to sources privy to her plans. This move is expected to clear the path for former President Donald Trump.
Haley is scheduled to deliver her remarks in Charleston, South Carolina, at 10 a.m. ET, following a string of losses in GOP nominating contests on Super Tuesday. However, sources indicate that Haley is unlikely to endorse Trump. Instead, she will urge the former president to earn the support of voters who backed her. This strategy seems to leave room for a potential endorsement of Trump ahead of the November general election.
A Tough Campaign
Haley, who served as Trump’s US ambassador to the United Nations, was the last of a dozen major candidates that the former president outperformed in a GOP primary he dominated from start to finish. Despite skipping the party’s debates and maintaining a lighter schedule of early-state travel than his rivals, Trump managed to win 14 of the 15 GOP contests on Tuesday.
Despite her vow to stay in the race through at least Super Tuesday and her intensified attacks on Trump, Haley’s campaign suffered a series of setbacks. Her home state of South Carolina marked her fourth consecutive loss in 2024. With the race shifting gears and moving from early-state contests to a national race, Haley struggled to keep pace with the former president.
Historic Wins
Despite the challenges, Haley made history by becoming the first Republican woman to win two primary contests: Vermont and the District of Columbia. These victories prevented Trump from claiming a clean sweep against Haley, but they were not enough to secure her a significant delegate count.
Party Loyalty Trumps Electability
Haley’s exit underscores the unwavering loyalty of Republican voters to Trump, who has falsely claimed he lost the 2020 election due to widespread fraud. This loyalty persists despite general election polls indicating that Haley was in a much stronger position against Biden.
Endorsements and Criticisms
Following Trump’s victory in Iowa, where Haley placed a distant third, members of the Republican Party quickly rallied around the former president. However, Haley did not receive a similar surge of support. While she secured the endorsement of former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, other prominent Republicans, such as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, did not endorse her.
Looking Ahead
As she prepares to exit the race, Haley is expected to renew her call for a return to conservative principles and warn against an isolationist foreign policy that has taken hold inside the GOP. Her Charleston speech on Wednesday is anticipated to include words of caution for her party.
A Promising Start, A Difficult Journey
Haley entered the GOP presidential race in February of last year, becoming the first person after Trump to launch a 2024 bid. Despite a promising start, her campaign faced numerous challenges, including scrutiny of her record, backlash over policy proposals, and a series of missteps that drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
A Rising Star’s Journey
Haley’s political career began in 2004 when she defeated a 30-year incumbent in a GOP primary for a state House seat in Lexington County, South Carolina. She served as governor of South Carolina for six years before becoming Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations in 2017. Her calculated departure from the Trump administration after two years on the job sparked speculation about her future political ambitions.
Despite her exit from the presidential race, Haley’s political journey is far from over. Her next steps will be closely watched by both her supporters and critics.
This story has been updated with additional information. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, Eric Bradner, and Ebony Davis contributed to this report.