Former U.N. Ambassador Haley exploring a presidential bid
Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said she is considering a 2024 presidential campaign, a bid that would put her up against her former boss, former President Donald Trump, who is thus far the only Republican to have declared his candidacy.
In an interview with Fox News' Brett Baier, Haley pointed to pervasive issues such as inflation and an expanding government as driving her interest in seeking the post.
"Well, 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?'" she said. "The second question is, 'am I that person that could be that new leader?'"
"You know, on the first question, you can look all across the board, domestic, foreign policy. You can look at, you know, inflation going up, economy shrinking, government getting bigger, you know, small business owners not being able to pay their rent. Big businesses getting these bailouts, all of these things warrant the fact that, yes, we need to go in a new direction," Haley went on.
"So do I think I could be that leader? Yes, But we are still working through things and we'll figure it out. I've never lost a race. I said that then, I still say that now. I'm not going to lose now," she concluded.
Haley served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2017-2018 and served as the Republican governor of South Carolina for two terms prior to her appointment. Rumors about her presidential prospects began years ago and she was previously floated as a candidate for vice president.
A prospective Haley bid is likely to be an uphill battle, with a recent Morning Consult poll showing her with only 2 percent support among potential GOP primary voters, compared with 48 percent for Trump and 31 percent for Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.