Nikki Haley Rules Out A 2028 Presidential Run: 'I Am Not Running'
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has ruled out another White House campaign in 2028, ending speculation that her growing media presence after the Republican midterm losses could signal another bid.
"I am not running in 2028, but I will continue to talk about the things that I care about," Haley told CNBC on Wednesday.
"I will continue to push good policy. I will continue to support good candidates, and we want a strong America. And whatever we have to do, I think every one of us has an obligation to try."
Haley, who also served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during Trump's first administration, has become increasingly vocal about the party's direction since last week's elections. Republicans lost control of the House and dropped numerous competitive races at the state level, the Washington Examiner noted.
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'For Certain'
Her public appearances and criticism of the party's midterm performance had fueled new speculation about another run. But Haley had already indicated, privately and publicly, that she was not planning a 2028 campaign.
During a podcast interview earlier this year, she was asked directly whether she would run. "I'm not running for president in 2028," Haley said. Asked whether she was certain, she replied, "For certain."
She was less definitive about running further in the future. Asked about 2032, Haley said, "Never say never. I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to pigeonhole myself that way."
Haley has argued Republicans must focus more on affordability and economic issues and do a better job communicating with voters. She has also urged party leaders to learn from the midterm results and concentrate on governing rather than turning immediately to another presidential primary.
Her 2024 Campaign
Haley mounted a high-profile campaign for the 2024 Republican nomination in a crowded field that included Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
As other candidates dropped out, she became Trump's final major Republican challenger. She won the primaries in Washington, D.C., and Vermont, becoming the first woman to win a Republican presidential primary, but Trump dominated the contest nationally.
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Haley suspended her campaign after Super Tuesday in March 2024. She did not immediately endorse Trump, but later said she would vote for him and ultimately spoke at the Republican National Convention.
A Crowded 2028 Field
Her decision removes one recognizable name from what could become a crowded 2028 Republican field.
Vice President JD Vance is widely discussed as a potential candidate and has said he believes Trump would endorse him if he decides to run. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz are among the other prominent Republicans whose names have come up.
DeSantis recently pushed back on reports that he was already laying groundwork for another campaign. "I have not reached out to anybody about running for anything," he wrote on X.
Haley has also kept speaking out on foreign policy, especially the conflict with Iran. She has long advocated a confrontational approach toward Tehran and argued that the Iranian government poses a continuing threat to the United States and its allies.
She said Democrats taking control of Congress should not spend the next two years consumed by investigations of Trump. "I think we always need to have accountability," Haley said. "What we don't need to see is Democrats cave to the socialist voices that now want to move the Democrat Party to the left."