Someone acquainted with Nikki Haley’s plans says the former South Carolina governor will announce her candidature for president on February 15 in Charleston.
If Haley were to enter the 2024 presidential race as a Republican this year, she would be the first to do so, with only former President Donald Trump, who began his campaign last year, as immediate opposition.
According to those in the know, she will soon be sending out invitations to her fans announcing the special event. She is yet to announce the specifics of her debut. There has been speculation that she may release a video in the coming days hinting at the impending announcement, but this is far from certain.
Haley’s spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Washington Post was the first to report on Haley’s preparations, while the Post and Courier were the first to publish on the projected date and location of the announcement.
“Ever since she left the governor’s office for the United Nation, there’s always been a sense in South Carolina that Nikki would be preparing for a much larger launch,” Dave Wilson, the president of the Christian nonprofit Palmetto Family Council. “Now we’re in a presidential countdown window. Everyone had better buckle up.”
Earlier this year, during an interview, Haley provided her most definitive hint yet that she will run for president as a Republican.
“When you’re looking at a run for president, you look at two things: You first look at, does the current situation push for new leadership? The second question is, am I that person that could be that new leader?” she told Fox News.
“Yes, we need to go in a new direction,” Haley said. “And can I be that leader? Yes, I think I can be that leader.”
During her time as US ambassador to the UN under Trump, Haley called the former president to discuss running for office, as Trump revealed to reporters over the weekend.
