In a strategic move to consolidate Republican support around the party's presumptive nominee, Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, has decided to release the delegates she secured during this year's Republican primary.
This decision paves the way for these delegates to freely back Donald Trump at the upcoming convention.
According to ABC News, Haley's former campaign confirmed that she had chosen to relinquish her hold on the 97 delegates she had won across various primaries and caucuses earlier in the year. In a statement, Haley underscored the need for party unity at the imminent Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. She also took the opportunity to criticize the current Democratic administration, stating that President Joe Biden is not competent to serve a second term. Haley further warned that Vice President Kamala Harris, whom she suggested might assume the presidency in Biden's place, would be a disaster for America.
Haley, advocating for a strong leader, stated, We need a president who will hold our enemies to account, secure our border, cut our debt, and get our economy back on track." She then urged her delegates to rally behind Donald Trump at the convention in Milwaukee, stating, "I encourage my delegates to support Donald Trump next week in Milwaukee.
However, Haley herself will not be present at the convention. Chaney Denton, her spokesperson, confirmed this, stating, She was not invited, and shes fine with that. Trump deserves the convention he wants. Shes made it clear shes voting for him and wishes him the best.
Haley's campaign came to an end following Trump's Super Tuesday victory, after which she accused him of causing chaos and disregarding the importance of U.S. alliances abroad. Trump, for his part, had repeatedly derided her with the nickname Birdbrain, but ceased these attacks after securing enough delegates in March to become the presumptive Republican nominee.
While Bidens campaign has been making efforts to win over Haley's supporters, seen as potential swing voters, Haley confirmed in May that she would be voting for Trump and left it to the former President to garner support from her backers.
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