WASHINGTON, Feb 2: Prominent Indian-American politician Nikki Haley has sent invitations to her supporters and well-wishers to join her for a “special announcement” on February 15 during which she is expected to declare her intention that she is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Haley, 51, is the two-term Governor of South Carolina and the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.
“I want to invite you to join me for a special announcement in Charleston on February 15, 2023,” Haley said in an invitation that was sent out on Wednesday.
“It would mean a great deal if you accepted this invitation right away. It will be a great opportunity to hear about my plans for the future, and I don’t want you to miss out!” she said.
When she enters the race, Haley will be the first contender to join the contest against her former boss Donald Trump, who is currently the sole Republican seeking his party’s 2024 nomination.
Trump, 76, launched his White House bid last year. The election will be held on November 5, 2024.
Before Haley enters the presidential ballot, she has to win the Republican Party’s presidential primary which will start in January next year.
Haley is the second woman of colour to ever seek the Republican Party’s nomination for the White House, the local Post and Courier reported.
The first was Angel Joy Chavis Rocker, a school counsellor from Florida, who entered the 2000 presidential race, becoming the first African American to do so.
In her invitation message, Haley said that from record-high inflation to an out-of-control border crisis and reckless spending sprees, President Joe Biden and the far Left have fuelled chaos across the country.
“But here’s the beautiful thing about America—our story doesn’t end when things get tough. That’s when we fight back. Even on our worst days, we are blessed to live in America. Because you and I have the power to change things for the better,” she said.
“That’s what I’ve been doing, and what I’ll continue to do, but I can’t do it alone. RSVP today to join me for my special announcement!” Haley said.
In a series of tweets, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said he is certain that Haley will be competitive in the race for the presidency.
“She is strong and sound on foreign policy, and did well in South Carolina as governor,” he said.
“Nikki also has much to offer the country when it comes to growing the Republican party. She has led a consequential life and I am confident that she will acquit herself well as a presidential candidate,” said the influential Republican Senator from South Carolina.
The next US presidential election is scheduled to be held on November 5, 2024.
Haley was born Nimrata Randhawa to Ajit Singh Randhawa and Raj Kaur Randhawa, who had emigrated from Punjab to Canada and then to the US in the 1960s.
Her father was a professor at the Punjab Agricultural University, and her mother received a law degree from Delhi University.
Haley had famously said previously that she would not seek to challenge Trump if he ran again, but there has been a shift in her stance in recent times as she said the US needs to look toward a different path.
“It’s time for a new generation,” she tweeted recently.
“It’s time for new leadership. And it’s time to take our country back. America is worth the fight — and we’re just getting started,” she said.
In an interview with Fox News last month, she said the US needs a “new leader” who can take the country in a new direction. (PTI)
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