Who are the declared candidates running for president in 2024?
5. Nikki Haley
Update: Nikki Haley suspended her campaign on March 6
Nikki Haley, who served as the governor of South Carolina from 2011 until joining the Trump administration as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in 2017, became the first high-profile challenger to Trump last February. Haley came in third in the Iowa caucuses, capturing 19.1% of the vote.
Haley, 52, has presented herself as a contrast to the two frontrunners for the presidency, both of whom are older than 75. The campaign video announcing her candidacy stressed the need for a “new generation of leadership.”
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Get excited! Time for a new generation.
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 14, 2023
Let’s do this! ???? ???????? pic.twitter.com/BD5k4WY1CP
The candidate’s website touts her record as governor of South Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the U.N., which includes a section highlighting her actions “standing up for the unborn.” Describing Haley as “one of the most pro-life governors in America,” the campaign details how “as governor, she signed many important pieces of legislation, including the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act and the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (outlawing abortion at 20 weeks).”
Before she announced her candidacy for president, Haley received criticism from conservatives for taking a picture with trans-identified retired Olympic athlete Caitlyn Jenner. Jenner, who achieved stardom as Bruce Jenner, has identified as a woman for the past several years. The picture was posted as an example of the “downfall” of the Republican Party, accompanied by a sarcastic statement proclaiming that “we became trans to own the libs.”
Haley addressed the picture by saying: “Caitlin came to see me at the U.N. and I appreciated her conservative views. I will continue to think that the Republican Party is one of conservative views by all people regardless of the demographics.”
The picture of Haley and Jenner circulated online as conservatives continue to push back against policies allowing men who identify as female to compete in women’s sports as well as efforts to perform body-disfiguring surgeries on youth struggling with their sexual identities.
While Haley exited the race after Super Tuesday, she continues to receive votes in certain primary contests. She has won 20.73% of the popular vote and 96 delegates.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
