Nikki Haley announces Republican nomination for president in 2024

Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and UN ambassador to former President Donald Trump, has officially entered the 2024 presidential race.

On Tuesday, Haley, 51, became the first Republican to formally challenge Trump for the GOP nomination. social media promotional video.

Haley is the first in a long line of Republicans expected to launch the 2024 campaigns in the coming months. Potential challengers include Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina compatriot and arguably the most prominent elected official in a state where Trump has already enlisted the support of the governor and senior senator Lindsey Graham. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence could also be formidable opponents if they run as many expected.

President Joe Biden has said he intends to seek re-election in 2024, blocking any fight for the Democratic nomination.

Haley has regularly bragged about her track record of defying political expectations, saying, “I’ve never lost an election and I’m not about to start now.”

If elected, Haley would become the country’s first female president and the first Indian-born U.S. president.

The daughter of Indian immigrants, Hailey grew up enduring racist ridicule in a small South Carolina town and has long mentioned how it affected her personal and political life.

“I was the proud daughter of immigrants from India – not black, not white. I was different,” she says in a campaign video.

“My mom always said it was your job to focus on similarities, not differences, and my parents reminded me and my siblings every day how lucky we are to live in America,” Hailey adds in the video.

She was an accountant when she applied for her first public position, defeating the longest-serving member of the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2004. experienced politicians.

She has received a number of high-profile endorsements, including from incumbent South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a tea party favorite.

With her victory in 2010, Haley became South Carolina’s first female and minority governor – and the nation’s youngest at 38. She earned a speaking slot at the 2012 Republican National Convention and gave the Republican Party’s response to President Barack Obama’s 2016 State of the Union address.

“Republicans have lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections. This has to change,” Hailey said in a video announcement of her candidacy for the presidency.

Haley added that Biden’s track record is “terrible.” She accused those in Washington of letting the Americans down, promising to “rediscover financial responsibility, protect our border, and strengthen our country, our pride, and our purpose.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.