Will Nikki Haley run for president in 2024? Some SC Republicans say she should
Two days after the polls closed for the Democratic presidential primary in South Carolina, some state Republicans are already looking toward a different election. The 2024 presidential race. And Nikki Haley would be on the ballot.
The former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations under President Donald Trump was in Richburg, S.C., Monday night to help U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, kickoff his reelection campaign.
But Norman’s campaign wasn’t the only one that got attention.
“Ambassador Haley, whatever you decide to do in four years, whatever that is, let me give you a pledge,” Norman told the crowd of nearly 1,000 Republicans. “I don’t care who you’re running against, we’re going to fill this place three times over. We’re going to lead the way in South Carolina for Ambassador Nikki Haley.”
Haley’s name has been tossed in the hat of successors to follow Trump, and several websites are selling “Nikki 2024” gear. At one point, there were even whispers that Trump would swap Vice President Mike Pence for Haley in 2020, which Trump has denied.
Haley focused her remarks on Norman Monday night and made no mention of a presidential bid herself.
“Ralph Norman has never disappointed us,” Haley said. “He’s never surprised us. You know where he’s going to be on every single vote. And this is what I will tell you — we need Ralph Norman to go back to represent the 5th congressional district because he is a fighter. He’s a conservative. He’s a pro-Second Amendment, pro-life fighter that’s gonna make sure he represents you.”
But Norman, and even his son, Warren Norman, didn’t shy away from the idea.
Before Haley took the stage, Warren Norman asked her — “Do I call you Ambassador Haley? Governor Haley? Future President Haley?”
Nearly every person in the crowd, filled with “Trump 2020” and MAGA gear, jolted up, and clapped, cheered and whistled for about 30 seconds.
“I think that speaks for itself,” Warren Norman said.
Norman and Haley have long been political allies since they entered the Statehouse together in 2004. In an interview after the event, Norman told The Herald that Haley has the clout to have a serious run at office in 2024.
“Talk to any pollster and talk to anybody that’s involved in politics, she is at the top of the list for a lot of different jobs — not just president,” he said. “Nikki Haley has made a record for herself that the people respect. When she was governor, she delivered. She wasn’t an empty rhetoric politician. She did what she said. So, she’ll be at the top of the list.”
Haley is at the top of Rock Hill resident Donna Hudson’s list. Hudson, who wore a blue “USA” hat and had an American flag tied around her shoulders, said she’s optimistic Haley will run.
“Nikki Haley makes me so proud,” she said. “I’m not a native. I’ve been in South Carolina 19 years and I’m so proud of her. I hope to get to vote for her in future elections.”
This story was originally published March 3, 2020 at 4:47 PM with the headline "Will Nikki Haley run for president in 2024? Some SC Republicans say she should."
