Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley Wenesday suspended her 2024 presidential campaign, clearing the path for former President Donald Trump to win the Republican nomination.
In short remarks at her campaign headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina, Haley did not endorse Trump, the front-runner for the nomination and the last remaining major candidate. She acknowledged that he will likely be the nominee and said she wished him well, but stopped short of supporting him.
“It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond who did not support him,” Haley said. “And I hope he does that.”
READ ALSO: US Supreme Court rejects Colorado’s effort to strike Trump’s name from ballot
Two sources close to Haley say she is eager to remain part of the GOP conversation, is proud of being the last contender standing against Trump and is not ruling out anything moving forward. Her top allies believe her run cements her as the standard bearer for traditional Republican values, especially with the looming exit of Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is stepping down as Senate minor.
The news comes just hours after Trump won commanding victories across nearly all the states holding Republican nominating contests on Super Tuesday.
Exit polls showed Trump leading Haley among broad segments of the GOP electorate, with voters saying immigration and the economy were their most important issues.
