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Haley to challenge Trump for 2024 Republican nomination

February 03, 2023 00:00:00


WASHINGTON, Feb 02 (AFP): Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley moved closer Wednesday to the widely-expected launch of her US presidential campaign-previewing a "big announcement" that looks certain to confirm her as an early rival to frontrunner Donald Trump in the race for the Republican nomination.

Casting herself as a younger, fresher alternative to the former president, Haley has been hinting at a possible run for weeks, posting a video on social media declaring that America is ready for "a new generation" of leadership.

"My family and I have a big announcement to share with you on February 15th! And yes, it's definitely going to be a Great Day in South Carolina!" she tweeted, inviting supporters to turn out at an event in Charleston, the Palmetto State's largest town.

At this point in the 2020 cycle, 10 Democrats had launched campaigns or exploratory committees, but Trump is the only Republican to do so officially this time around.

Haley, 51, who was South Carolina's governor before serving for two years as Trump's United Nations ambassador, had said she wouldn't run against her former boss.

"Nikki has to follow her heart, not her honor. She should definitely run!" Trump said in an acerbic post on his social network that appeared calculated to raise questions over her loyalty.

Haley is unlikely to be the last Republican to throw their hat in the ring. Some Washington-watchers speculated that her announcement might prompt a stampede from rivals such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Trump's vice president Mike Pence.

"It's exciting to see the leadership that's coming out of South Carolina," Nancy Mace, a rare anti-Trump House Republican, said at a political event in Washington on Wednesday, adding that she was expecting an invitation to Haley's announcement by the end of the day.


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