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Nikki Haley Releases Delegates and Backs Trump for GOP Nomination

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley releases delegates and backs Donald Trump for the GOP nomination at the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the only woman to seek the Republican presidential nomination, was not invited to attend the convention. | Cliff Owen/AP

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley released all of her delegates on Tuesday, urging them to support Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president at next week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Republican Unity

“The nominating convention is a time for Republican unity,” Haley stated. “Joe Biden is not competent to serve a second term and Kamala Harris would be a disaster for America. We need a president who will hold our enemies to account, secure our border, cut our debt, and get our economy back on track. I encourage my delegates to support Donald Trump next week in Milwaukee.”

Haley’s Exclusion from the Convention

Despite her support, Haley, the only woman to seek the Republican presidential nomination, was not invited to attend the convention. Her spokesperson, Chaney Denton, remarked, “She was not invited, and she’s fine with that. Trump deserves the convention he wants. She’s made it clear she’s voting for him and wishes him the best.”

Delegate Count and Voter Support

Haley, who secured 97 delegates from 12 states during the 2024 Republican primaries, was the last viable alternative to Trump. After she dropped out of the race in March, she called on Trump to “earn the votes of those in our party and beyond who did not support him.” Despite no public effort from Trump to reach out to Haley or her voters, she continued to receive support in state primaries. For instance, 22 percent of voters in Indiana’s open GOP primary chose Haley, and she garnered 20 to 25 percent support in suburban counties around Philadelphia in April.

Trump’s Response

While Trump’s campaign declined to comment, the former president acknowledged Haley’s support after a rally in New York. “I think she’s going to be on our team because we have a lot of the same ideas, the same thoughts,” Trump told News 12 New York. “I appreciated what she said. You know, we had a nasty campaign, it was pretty nasty. But she’s a very capable person, and I’m sure she’s going to be on our team in some form, absolutely.”

Haley’s Continued Support

Currently serving as the conservative think tank Hudson Institute’s Walter P. Stern chair, Haley reiterated her support for a president who backs America’s allies, secures the border, supports “capitalism and freedom,” and lowers the national debt. Although Trump “has not been perfect,” Haley affirmed her decision to vote for him in the general election. “Trump has not been perfect on these policies. I’ve made that clear many, many times,” she said. “But Biden has been a catastrophe. So I will be voting for Trump. Having said that, I stand by what I said in my suspension speech.”

In June, Haley told the Wall Street Journal that she reached out to Trump after announcing her support for him and had a “good conversation,” but there was no discussion of any role on the campaign or at the upcoming convention. Haley previously served as Trump’s first United Nations ambassador.

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