Nikki Haley Is Running For President. Here’s What You Need To Know.

Nikki Haley (a former ambassador to United Nations) entered the 2024 presidential race Tuesday. She became the first Republican officially to challenge President Donald Trump for his nomination.

Haley, 51 years old, has been out in public office but, for the most parts, not visible to the public for many years. She last served in office as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations before leaving the administration at the end of 2018. In a Tuesday video announcing her candidacy, she reflected on this experience.

“I have seen evil; in China they commit genocide; in Iran, they murder their own people for challenging the government,” Haley . “And when a woman tells you about watching soldiers throw her baby into a fire, it puts things into perspective. Even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America.”

She stated that there was a need for a “new generation of leadership,” Two of the top contenders for presidency in 2024 are Trump, who’s 76, or President Joe Biden who’s 80.

Haley’s decision to run for president is a reversal of a statement she made in 2021.

“I would not run if President Trump ran, and I would talk to him about it,” she Telled A reporter asked her about her future presidential ambitions.

Before announcing her presidential candidacy, she spoke to Trump and Trump confirmed that he supported her candidacy. “You should do it,” Trump spoke to her.

Haley was born Nimrata Nikki Ranhawa. She is the daughter Indian immigrants. raised In the Sikh faith. After she married Michael Haley in 1996, she converted to Christianity. After graduating from Clemson University, she worked for her family’s dress and fashion business before launching a bid for South Carolina’s legislature in 2004.

Haley’s career in politics All rights reserved in 2005 in South Carolina’s House of Representatives. She served three terms before running for governor in 2010, picking up some high-profile endorsements, including from former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, that helped her to victory in the GOP primary and, later, in the governor’s race. Haley was 38 years old when she became the youngest U.S. governor.

Haley was elected to office on the back of Tea Party support. She signed new laws that targeted illegal immigration and removed South Carolina from Common Core education standards. South Carolinians responded to her victory by electing Haley for a second term, more than tripling her margin. 14.6 Points after her 4.5-point Victory in 2010.

Nine people were killed when a gunman opened fire on Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston, on June 17, 2015. The attack took place months into Haley’s second term, and spurred the governor to push for removing the Confederate Flag from the grounds of the South Carolina State House. Haley Signed After a 15 hour debate in the legislature last night, legislation permanently furlings the flag was passed on July 9,

“The Confederate flag is coming off the grounds of the South Carolina State House,” Haley said. “Twenty-two days ago, I didn’t know that I would ever be able to say this again, but today, I am very proud to say that it is a great day in South Carolina,” Referring to a tagline she used for her administration.

2016: Haley voted against a Republican-backed bill which would have prevented people from using a bathroom with a gender other than their own. Haley supported the repeal of the bill, which brought Haley’s state under fire from progressive activists.

“I don’t believe it’s necessary,” Haley At the time. “When I look at South Carolina, we look at our situations, we’re not hearing of anybody’s religious liberties that are being violated, and we’re again not hearing any citizens that feel like they’re being violated in terms of freedoms.”

Haley moved from South Carolina to New York after Trump selected her as his ambassador at the United Nations.

During her time at the U.N., Haley earned a reputation as a forceful advocate for U.S. interests while denouncing some of the globe’s most impactful players and human rights abusers in China, Russia, and Iran. Haley’s uncompromising language was a sign of her political awareness. She brought Russia and China into an international agreement to sanction North Korea in 2017.

Haley’s role at the U.N. made her “something of a star” According to The New York Times. Her success made her October 2018 retirement announcement even more surprising. Trump and Haley both said that they had planned for her departure months in advance but kept it secret.

Haley stated that she was tired and leaving the administration. Haley spent two years as U.N. ambassador after her time as South Carolina’s governor, and the ambassador wanted to take a break from her rigorous schedule, she said.

She spent much of her time in the head after she left office.