Nikki Haley

Who Is Nikki Haley?

Nikki Haley is a prominent American politician who began her political career at a young age. She served in the South Carolina House of Representatives for several years before being elected as the governor of South Carolina in 2010. This historic election made Haley the first female governor of the state and the first Indian-American to hold that position, marking her as the second Indian-American governor in the United States, following Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.

In 2016, Haley was appointed by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the United States ambassador to the United Nations, a role she held from January 2017 until the end of 2018. Her tenure in this position was marked by a commitment to advancing U.S. interests on the global stage. In February 2023, Haley announced her candidacy for the presidency in the 2024 election, seeking to further her influence in American politics.

Early Life and Career

Nimrata Nikki Randhawa Haley, widely known as Nikki Haley, was born on January 20, 1972, in Bamberg, South Carolina, to Sikh immigrants from Punjab, India. She completed her education in local schools and graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Following her academic achievements, Haley joined her mother’s upscale clothing business, Exotica International, where she played a pivotal role in transforming it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

In 1998, Haley was appointed to the board of directors for the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce, and in 2003, she joined the board of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce. Her leadership capabilities were further recognized in 2004 when she became the president of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Haley was actively involved in various organizations, including the Lexington Medical Foundation, West Metro Republican Women, and the South Carolina Chapter of NAWBO, demonstrating her commitment to both business and community service.

South Carolina Congresswoman

In 2004, Haley successfully ran for a seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives, overcoming a primary challenge from incumbent Republican Larry Koon, the longest-serving member of the House at that time. After winning the primary, she ran unopposed in the general election, marking a historic milestone as the first Indian-American to hold office in South Carolina. Haley was re-elected unopposed in 2006 and later defeated her Democratic challenger in 2008. As a Republican, her platform was characterized by anti-tax policies and fiscal conservatism. Haley supported legislation aimed at restricting abortion and advocated for the enforcement of immigration laws, reflecting her background as the child of legal immigrants.

Campaign Controversy and Historic Election to Governor

In May 2009, Haley, a member of the Tea Party movement, announced her candidacy for governor in the 2010 election, receiving endorsements from notable figures including former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

During her campaign, Haley faced accusations of extramarital affairs with two individuals: Will Folks, a former press secretary for then-South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, and Larry Marchant, a political consultant for her opponent, Andre Bauer. Haley staunchly denied these allegations, asserting her fidelity to her husband, Michael, and stated that she would resign if the claims were proven true.

At the same time, South Carolina state Senator Jake Knotts, a supporter of Bauer, made derogatory remarks about Haley, referring to her as a “raghead.” Despite initially defending his comments, Knotts later apologized, indicating that his remarks were intended as a joke.

In a June 2010 interview with Newsweek, Haley discussed the significance of her candidacy in breaking racial and gender barriers, stating, “The fact that I happen to be an Indian female, of course that brings a new dynamic. But what I hope it does is cause a conversation in this state where we no longer live by layers, but we live by philosophies.”

Haley won the runoff vote for the Republican gubernatorial primary and was elected governor of South Carolina on November 2, 2010, becoming the first female and first Indian-American governor of the state. She was re-elected for a second term in 2014.

2012 Vice President Speculation

In 2012, speculation arose regarding the possibility of Mitt Romney selecting Haley as his vice-presidential running mate in the upcoming presidential election. However, Haley publicly declined any such offer, stating, “The people of South Carolina gave me a chance. I have a job to do, and I’m not going to leave my job for anything.” Romney subsequently chose Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential candidate in August 2012.

Charleston Church Shooting and Confederate Flag Removal

On June 17, 2015, the nation was profoundly impacted by the tragic events at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, carried out a racially motivated shooting during a Bible study session, where he was welcomed by parishioners, including the church’s pastor, Clementa Pinckney. Witnesses reported that Roof announced his intention to target Black individuals before opening fire, resulting in the deaths of six women and three men, including Rev. Pinckney, who also served as a state senator. Following his arrest, Roof expressed a desire to incite a “race war,” and his racist motivations were further underscored by a manifesto he posted online, as well as photographs in which he displayed white supremacist symbols.

In the immediate aftermath, Governor Nikki Haley publicly condemned the violence, asserting that the shootings should be classified as a hate crime and advocating for the death penalty for Roof. The issue of the Confederate flag, which Roof had been photographed with, reignited a national debate regarding its place as a symbol of either heritage or hatred. On June 22, 2015, Governor Haley called for the removal of the flag from the South Carolina State Capitol, stating, “This flag, while an integral part of our past, does not represent the future of our great state,” during a news conference attended by a bipartisan group of politicians.

Subsequently, on July 7, 2015, the South Carolina Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of removing the flag, followed by a similar vote in the House of Representatives. Governor Haley signed the bill into law on July 9, 2015, in a ceremony that included victims’ families and state officials. In her remarks, she emphasized the significance of this action for the future of South Carolina, saying, “It is a new day in South Carolina, a day we can all be proud of, a day that truly brings us all together as we continue to heal, as one people and one state.”

2016 State of the Union Response

On January 12, 2016, Governor Haley was chosen to deliver the Republican response to President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address. Acknowledging the historic nature of Obama’s presidency as the first African-American president, she nonetheless critiqued his administration, noting that despite his inspirational rhetoric, the reality of his record often fell short. Haley emphasized the importance of tolerance and inclusiveness in her speech, reflecting on her own experiences as an Indian-American in the rural South and urging Americans to resist the divisive rhetoric that can arise in challenging times.

2016 Vice Presidential Speculation

Following her address, speculation arose regarding Haley’s potential candidacy for the vice presidency under Donald Trump. Although she had initially supported other candidates, including Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Ted Cruz, she ultimately endorsed Trump. However, she was critical of his failure to swiftly disavow the support of the Ku Klux Klan and of his proposed Muslim ban, which led to tensions between them. Trump responded to Haley’s criticisms by questioning her loyalty and labeling her as “weak on immigration.”

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

Despite earlier tensions, Haley voted for Trump in the 2016 election and celebrated his victory, expressing optimism about governance under a Republican administration. On November 22, 2016, Trump appointed her as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, making her the first woman in his administration. In her acceptance, Haley expressed her honor at being chosen and her commitment to serving the nation.

Confirmed by the Senate on January 24, 2017, with a vote of 94-6, Haley became the first Indian-American in a presidential cabinet. Throughout her tenure, she addressed significant international issues, including threats from Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Notably, she defended Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and addressed the broader implications of sexual harassment allegations involving political figures, asserting that all women should have their voices heard and concerns addressed.

Haley faced challenges in communication with the White House, particularly during a controversy in April 2018 regarding U.S. sanctions on Russia, which led to public disagreements about the administration’s message. On October 9, 2018, she announced her resignation, indicating her departure from the U.N. ambassador role at the year’s end.

Post-Ambassador Career and Publications

After leaving her post, Haley was nominated to join Boeing’s board of directors in February 2019, but she resigned later that year in opposition to the company’s request for a federal stimulus package during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2019, she published her second memoir, With All Due Respect: Defending America with Grit and Grace, which included allegations against former officials who sought to influence her decisions. Haley’s earlier works include Can’t Is Not an Option: My American Story, detailing her journey to the governorship, and If You Want Something Done (2022), focused on female leadership.

2024 Presidential Campaign

On February 14, 2023, Haley officially announced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, positioning herself as a candidate who could potentially become the first female president and the first Indian-American president in U.S. history.

Personal Life and Family

Raised in a Sikh family, Haley later converted to Christianity, attending the Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church while also respecting her Sikh heritage by participating in services. She married Michael Haley in 1996, whom she met at Clemson University, and together they have two children, Rena and Nalin. Michael has served as an officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard and was the first First Gentleman of South Carolina during Haley’s governorship.