Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley suggested she may be ready to launch a presidential run in 2024, telling TBEN News she thinks she “could be that leader.”
Haley, who served as ambassador to the United Nations under former President Donald Trump, previously hinted at her possible candidacy in August, changing her stance from 2021, when the Republican said she would not run for her party’s nomination as Trump would be in the same race. .
In an interview with Bret Baier of TBEN News on Thursday, Haley said that if she runs for president, “I’m running against [President] Joe Biden.”
“That’s what I’m focused on because we can’t get a second term from Joe Biden,” she added.
Mark Wilson
Haley also told the TBEN News host that there were “two things” to consider before deciding whether to run: “Is the current situation pushing towards a new one?” and “Am I that person who could be that new leader?”
“So I think I could be that leader? Yes,’ said Haley. “But we’re still working on things and we’ll figure it out.
“I’ve never lost a race,” she added. “I said that then, I still say that now. I’m not going to lose now, but stay tuned.”
Haley served under the Trump administration from 2016 to 2018 and ended her tenure on good terms with the former president, who at the time praised Haley for her “amazing work” at the United Nations.
However, following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Haley has criticized her former boss, saying at the Republican National Committee dinner the day after the siege that Trump was “all wrong with his words,” TBEN News previously reported.
During the 2022 midterm elections, Trump and Haley also clashed over choices for the seat of the U.S. House of Representatives in South Carolina. Haley’s endorsed candidate, Representative Nancy Mace, won re-election in November despite criticism from Trump.
Haley stopped short of officially announcing her candidacy on Thursday, but addressed her earlier statement about whether she would run against Trump in the presidential race, telling TBEN News that she had “a great working relationship with the president.”
“But America’s survival is important,” the former governor added. “And it’s bigger than one person. And when you look to America’s future, I think it’s time for another generation change. I don’t think you have to be 80 years old to become a leader in DC “
According to recent polls compiled by RealClear Politics (RCP), Haley ranks fourth on average in a hypothetical GOP primary race in 2024, behind Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence, the ex-running degree of Trump.
RCP’s average of four polls conducted from November 18 to January 17 puts Trump ahead of DeSantis by 13.8 points. Pence falls more than 24 points behind Florida’s leader, with Haley about 3 points behind the former vice president.
Neither DeSantis nor Pence have stated they will be running in 2024, leaving Trump as the only confirmed GOP candidate. Biden has also not announced that he is running for re-election.
News Week has reached out to Trump’s press team for comment.
