Haley's campaign sends details to supporters
Charleston, S.C. - Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is set to announce a presidential candidacy in Charleston on February 15, according to sources familiar with the event details.
Haley, who served as South Carolina’s 116th Governor from 2011-17, is set to be the second candidate to enter the 2024 Republican Primary Race, following former President Donald Trump’s entry last November. This sets up a peculiar situation where Trump and Haley will be facing one another, as some Haley supporters fear Trump will direct his attacks on his former UN ambassador. Trump has, in recent days escalated his attacks on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is widely seen as Trump’s most formidable potential challenger in a national primary campaign.
Trump last weekend kicked off his campaign in New Hampshire and South Carolina, holding an “intimate event” at the State Capitol in Columbia to announce his “Leadership Team” where the former President gave remarks flanked by Gov. Henry McMaster (who served as Haley’s Lt. Governor), Sen. Lindsey Graham, Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, U.S. Reps Joe Wilson, William Timmons, and Russell Fry. Also joining the former President on stage were former Ambassador to Switzerland Ed McMullen, US Attorney Peter McCoy, former Lt. Governor Andre Bauer, and State Treasurer Curtis Loftis.
Notably not in attendance was Sen. Tim Scott, who is reportedly mulling his own 2024 campaign, and Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who has publicly refused to endorse the former President. Haley held a high-dollar fundraiser and barnstormed across the First Congressional District last summer with Mace as she sought to fend off a high-profile Trump-endorsed primary challenge from former State Rep. Katie Arrington.
The launch event will be held at The Shed at the Charleston Visitor Center, located at 375 Meeting St on February 15th, with doors open to the public at 9:30 am.
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