Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley pledged to remain in the GOP presidential race Tuesday evening after polls closed in New Hampshire and the nation's first primary for President Trump was called within minutes. Trump won the Iowa primary last week, while Haley placed third. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the second-place finisher in Iowa, withdrew from the race on Sunday and endorsed Trump, leaving the race between Trump and Haley.
Speaking to supporters in Concord, Haley congratulated Trump on his win, but then said: “This race is not over yet. There are dozens of states left, and the next one is my beautiful state of South Carolina!”
Nikki Haley takes the stage in Concord: “They're breaking down saying this race is over… New Hampshire is first in the country, and it's not last.”
“This race is not over yet. There are still dozens of states left, and the next one is my beautiful state, SC. pic.twitter.com/ZaDiVM3QAq
-Dylan Wells (@dylanowells) January 24, 2024
Haley has A robust fundraising schedule With 15 fundraising campaigns scheduled for next month. The next Republican primary in South Carolina is scheduled for February 24. (The Nevada caucus is February 8. The Nevada primary on February 6 does not allocate delegates, only the caucus does, which is why Trump is only competing in the caucus. Haley is not on the ticket.) Ballot For the assembly, but it is on the primary ballot. Explained here.)
“Well, I'm a fighter, and I'm a feisty one,” Haley said. “And now we're the last ones standing on Donald Trump's side.”
Haley said that her presence in the race is not a personal matter against Trump, but “it is time to put the negativity and chaos behind us.”
After criticizing Biden and Congress, Haley directed her fire at Trump, blaming him for Republicans losing the elections in 2018, 2020, and 2022, claiming that Democrats want to run against Trump.
“With Donald Trump, you have one bout of chaos after another: this court case, this controversy, this tweet, this big moment,” Haley said of Trump. “You can’t fix Joe Biden’s mess with Republican mess.”
Haley recently brought up Trump saying “Nikki Haley” instead of “Nancy Pelosi” when talking about January 6, and mentioned her call for politicians over the age of 75 to take an aptitude test. Haley invited Trump to debate her to prove his mental competence.
Haley said she is looking forward to campaigning in South Carolina. The latest poll there (conducted by Trump's polling firm) shows Trump crushing Haley in her home state by 68% to 28%. Trump has the endorsement of nearly every major Republican incumbent in South Carolina, including Gov. Henry McMaster, Sen. Tim Scott (whom Haley appointed to the Senate in 2012), Sen. Lindsey Graham, and controversial Rep. Nancy Mace.
Haley posted a clip of her speech attacking Trump, saying: “Donald Trump’s only strategy is to lie about me and my record. This will not work in South Carolina. South Carolinians know that I lowered their taxes, passed one of the toughest immigration laws in the country, and quoted Thousands off welfare to work. #Let'sGo
Donald Trump's only strategy is to lie about me and my record. This won't work in South Carolina.
South Carolinians know that I lowered their taxes, passed one of the nation's toughest immigration laws, and moved thousands off welfare and into work. #Let's go pic.twitter.com/OqhguleBd0
– Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) January 24, 2024
Video of Haley's speech via WMUR-TV:
