Former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador Nikki Haley will suspend her presidential campaign on Wednesday following a defeat across the nation on Super Tuesday. Sources familiar with development confirmed the decision. Haley’s quitting has left Donald Trump as the sole major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination.
Haley, who entered the race in February 2023, emerged as Trump’s first significant rival. However, despite an aggressive campaign warning against Trump’s leadership style, she failed to gain traction, the Associated Press reported. Her departure paves the way for Trump to focus entirely on his anticipated rematch with President Joe Biden in November, as he steadily accumulates the necessary delegates for the nomination.
Her defeat is seen as a significant setback for those within the Republican Party who opposed Trump’s brand of politics. Haley, who attracted support from moderates and college-educated voters, represented an alternative path for the GOP. However, her failure to derail Trump’s momentum underscores the challenge of unifying a deeply divided party, the report further stated.
Despite her exit, Haley made history as the first woman to win a Republican primary, securing victories in the District of Columbia and Vermont. Throughout her campaign, she maintained her commitment to staying in the race through Super Tuesday, campaigning vigorously across various states. However, she ultimately proved unable to disrupt Trump’s path to securing a third consecutive nomination.