International Desk
7 March
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In a significant turn of events, Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador, has decided to drop her candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Defeated in delegate elections across the nation, Haley’s withdrawal clears the path for former President Donald Trump to potentially contest the presidential election as the Republican Party’s candidate.
Despite a strong campaign against Trump, Haley faced setbacks in various delegate elections. Notably, she secured a victory against Trump in Vermont. Three sources close to Haley revealed on the condition of anonymity that her formal announcement of withdrawal is imminent. Trump, with 893 delegates, is approaching the 1,215 needed for the Republican nomination, while Haley has 66 delegates.
Haley’s decision deals a significant blow to voters, donors, and Republican Party leaders who opposed Trump. The move raises questions about Trump’s ability to unite the divided party. Despite her withdrawal, Haley makes history as the first woman to win a Republican primary, leaving a lasting impact on the party’s landscape. The stage is now set for a potential direct competition between Joe Biden and Trump in the upcoming presidential election.