Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has suspended her campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, conceding to former President Donald Trump as the presumptive nominee. Despite initially vowing to stay in the race through Super Tuesday, Haley faced a series of defeats, including in her home state of South Carolina, where Trump won decisively.
Haley did not endorse Trump in her exit speech but left open the possibility of supporting him in the general election. Her campaign, which highlighted her status as the first Republican woman to win two primary contests, ultimately struggled to gain traction, especially as the race shifted to a national scale with a majority of delegates to be awarded in winner-take-all contests.
The former governor's departure underscores the Republican Party's strong support for Trump, despite concerns about his electability. Trump's dominance in the primaries, coupled with endorsements from key party figures, quickly solidified his position as the frontrunner.
Haley's campaign faced criticism and setbacks, including her failure to meet expectations in key states like New Hampshire. Her attempts to differentiate herself from Trump, particularly on issues like foreign policy and electability, were not enough to sway Republican voters. Haley's exit marks the end of a high-profile bid by a longtime GOP figure, once seen as a rising star within the party.