Can Nikki Haley Win the Republican Presidential Nomination?

Nikki Haley announced her bid for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election on Tuesday, throwing her hat into a ring currently only occupied by former president Donald Trump, who announced his candidacy in November. The announcement is leading to speculation on if she has a chance to win and how her candidacy changes the landscape of the race.

Haley’s Resume: Haley, 51, served three terms in the South Carolina House of Representatives before being elected Governor of the state, the first woman to hold the office. From 2017 to 2018, Haley served in the Trump Administration cabinet as the United States ambassador to the United Nations. As for her 2024 campaign, according to her announcement video, Haley is running with aims to “rediscover fiscal responsibility, secure our border and strengthen our country, our pride and our purpose.”

Can She Win? A key challenge for Haley, according to an analysis from Newsweek, is that she has “nowhere near the national recognition and support” as her former boss and now opponent, Trump. A Washington Examiner analysis, however, quoted voices optimistic about Haley’s chances, believing she holds appeal with Republicans tired of “firebrand” candidates.

State of the Race: Haley’s entry into the race is predicted to greatly impact the chances of another potential candidate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. A piece in The Guardian cited a poll indicating that Haley could pull supporters from DeSantis, clearing the way for Trump to win the nomination.