Politics

Nikki Haley announces run for president, challenging Trump

Published

4 years ago

February 14, 2023

FILE - Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Nov. 19, 2022, in Las Vegas. Haley may be the first to take on former President Donald Trump, but a half-dozen or more high-profile Republicans are expected to join the GOP's 2024 presidential nomination contest over the coming months. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, announced her candidacy for president on Tuesday, becoming the first major challenger to former President Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination.

The announcement, delivered in a tweeted video, marks an about-face for the ex-Trump Cabinet official, who said two years ago that she wouldn’t challenge her former boss for the White House in 2024. But she changed her mind in recent months, citing, among other things, the country’s economic troubles and the need for “generational change,” a nod to the 76-year-old Trump’s age.

“You should know this about me. I don’t put up with bullies. And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels,” Haley said. “I’m Nikki Haley, and I’m running for president.”

Haley, 51, is the first in a long line of Republicans who are expected to launch 2024 campaigns in the coming months. Among them are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

President Joe Biden has said he intends to seek reelection in 2024, stalling any jostling for the Democratic nomination.

Haley has regularly boasted about her track record of defying political expectations, saying, “I’ve never lost an election, and I’m not going to start now.”

If elected, Haley would be the nation’s first female president and the first U.S. president of Indian descent.

The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley grew up enduring racist taunts in a small South Carolina town and has long referenced that impact on her personal and political arc.

In the three-and-a-half minute video, Haley referenced that past, saying she grew up “not Black, not white — I was different.”

Despite that, Haley insisted that America is not a racist country: “Nothing could be further from the truth.” Playing in the background of her video were images of media reports related to The New York Times Magazine’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “1619 Project” — which centered the country’s history around slavery.

Haley never mentions Trump by name in the video, instead saying “the Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again.” Haley leans into a call for “a new generation of leadership,” which has become the refrain of her messaging leading up to the launch.

There appears to be openness among Republicans to new leadership, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In an open-ended question asking Republicans to choose who they want to lead their party, a majority of Republicans didn’t choose either Trump or DeSantis, considered the former president’s top rival. But they also didn’t have a clear alternative in mind.

Eleven other politicians, including Haley, are named by just 1% of Republicans as their preferred leader.

In a statement, Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich said Haley was “just another career politician.”

“She started out as a Never Trumper before resigning to serve in the Trump admin,” he said. “She then resigned early to go rake in money on corporate boards. Now, she’s telling us she represents a ‘new generation.’ Sure just looks like more of the same, a career politician whose only fulfilled commitment is to herself.”

Before entering politics, Haley was an accountant. She defeated the longest-serving member of the South Carolina House in 2004 in her first bid for public office. Three terms later and with little statewide recognition, Haley mounted a long-shot campaign for governor against a large field of experienced politicians.

She racked up a number of high-profile endorsements, including from the sitting South Carolina governor, Mark Sanford, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a tea party darling.

With her 2010 victory, Haley became South Carolina’s first female and minority governor — and the nation’s youngest at 38. She earned a speaking slot at the 2012 Republican National Convention and gave the GOP response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union in 2016.

The defining moment of Haley’s time as governor came after the 2015 murders of nine Black parishioners in a Charleston church by a self-avowed white supremacist who had been pictured holding Confederate flags.

For years, Haley had resisted calls to remove the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds, even casting a rival’s push for its removal as a desperate stunt. But after the massacre and with the support of other leading Republicans, Haley advocated for legislation to remove the flag. It came down less than a month after the murders.

In the 2016 presidential primary, Haley was an early supporter of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, later shifting to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. She ultimately said she would back the party’s nominee.

Shortly after Trump’s victory, he tapped Haley to be his U.N. ambassador, a move that rewarded Henry McMaster, the lieutenant governor who was the nation’s first statewide elected official to back Trump’s 2016 campaign. Haley’s departure cleared the way for McMaster to ascend to the governorship he had sought, since losing a bruising primary to none other than Haley seven years earlier.

With her Senate confirmation, Haley became the first Indian American in a presidential Cabinet.

During her nearly two-year tenure, Haley feuded at times with other administration officials while bolstering her own public persona.

One of her most memorable moments as U.N. ambassador came in 2018 after National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow suggested Haley had suffered “momentary confusion” when she said Russian sanctions were imminent.

“With all due respect, I don’t get confused,” she responded. The first half of the quote became the title of her 2019 memoir.

Her departure from the job later that year fueled speculation that she would challenge Trump in 2020 or replace Pence on the ticket. She did neither.

Instead, Haley returned to South Carolina, where she bought a home on the wealthy enclave Kiawah Island, joined the board of aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co., launched herself on the speaking circuit and wrote two books, including the memoir.

After the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, Haley initially cast doubts on Trump’s political future but said she wouldn’t challenge him in 2024. She later shifted course, citing inflation, crime, drugs and a “foreign policy in disarray” among her reasons for considering a White House campaign.

During his South Carolina stop last month, Trump told WIS-TV that Haley had called to seek his opinion on running for president. Trump pointed out her earlier pledge not to run against him but said he made no attempt to stop her.

“She said she would never run against me because I was the greatest president, but people change their opinions, and they change what’s in their hearts,” Trump said. “So I said, ‘If your heart wants to do it, you have to go do it.’”

Politics

Voters Give Democrats Congressional Majorities as Affordability and Iran War Shape Trump Rebuke

Published

1 hour ago

November 4, 2026

FNN NEWS

Chuck Schumer raises both fists beside Hakeem Jeffries, with American flags behind them

Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer prepare for a shift in congressional power, with voters demanding economic relief and stronger presidential oversight while Trump retains his veto.

WASHINGTON (FNN) — Democrats won control of the House and Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, delivering a major setback to President Donald Trump and positioning congressional Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer to challenge his administration during the final two years of his presidency.

The victories extended into traditionally Republican territory, with economic anxiety and opposition to the Iran war helping reshape the electoral map. Reuters reported Democratic breakthroughs in states including Texas, Kansas and South Carolina.

The results put Democrats in position to control both chambers when the new Congress convenes in January. Several contests remained unresolved Wednesday, leaving the final size of their majorities unsettled.

Jeffries positioned for historic House speakership

The Democratic House victory puts Jeffries, a New York congressman, in line to become the first Black speaker of the House.

His elevation is not automatic. Winning a congressional majority gives Democrats the opportunity to elect the speaker, but Jeffries must secure the necessary support in a House floor vote.

Jeffries will also face the task of uniting moderate and progressive Democrats around an agenda that can survive divided government. Reuters reported that his priorities include addressing affordability and reversing Republican cuts to Medicaid.

“We’re going to fight to make sure that we make this country affordable for every single American,” Jeffries told supporters, according to NPR.

Senate victory expands Democrats’ leverage

The Senate result gives Democrats influence over legislation, presidential nominations and committee investigations.

Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, described the outcome as a “generational remake of the Senate map,” according to reporting published by WTTW. His leadership position in the incoming Congress remains subject to the Democratic caucus’s selection process.

Democratic Senate victories included Republican-held seats in North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Texas and South Carolina, according to Roll Call. The gains give the party an opportunity to scrutinize administration nominees and shape the chamber’s agenda.

A majority, however, does not eliminate every procedural obstacle. Under existing Senate rules, ending debate on most legislation generally requires 60 votes, making Republican cooperation important for many proposals.

Affordability crisis moves to the center of the agenda

The election creates pressure on Democrats to demonstrate that congressional control can produce practical relief.

Jeffries has outlined priorities involving affordable housing, education, health care and retirement security. Those subjects reflect the household expenses that helped drive the campaign and will shape expectations for the incoming majority.

But passing bills through Congress and delivering changes in law are separate challenges. Democrats will need agreement between their chambers, a workable approach to federal spending and, in many cases, negotiations with the White House.

Their political test will extend beyond opposition to Trump: Voters will be able to judge whether the new majority advances credible proposals and explains the costs, benefits and obstacles involved.

Iran war raises questions about congressional authority

Opposition to the Iran war helped fuel the Democratic gains, according to Reuters. The outcome increases pressure for congressional scrutiny of military objectives, spending and the administration’s strategy.

For lawmakers seeking to prevent wars they consider unnecessary, Congress has constitutional tools that extend beyond public criticism.

The Constitution gives Congress authority to declare war, raise and support armed forces, and control appropriations. The president serves as commander in chief, creating a division of responsibilities rather than placing every military decision in one branch.

A Democratic Congress could hold hearings, examine the administration’s legal justifications and consider legislation governing military operations or funding. Such measures would face their own legal, procedural and political constraints; an election result alone does not end a conflict.

Trump retains veto power

Trump will remain president, and the change in congressional control does not remove his constitutional authority to veto legislation.

A veto can be overridden only with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. Democratic majorities therefore do not, by themselves, guarantee enactment of their legislative agenda.

Trump signaled resistance to the incoming majority’s proposals after the election, sharing an image of a cap bearing the word “VETO,” according to WTTW’s reporting.

The result sets up negotiations and potential confrontations over spending, domestic programs and national security. Congress can also conduct oversight without first obtaining the president’s agreement to new legislation.

“No king”: Voters seek stronger checks and balances

The election offered evidence of substantial public demand for Congress to exercise greater independence.

About seven in 10 voters said Congress was not doing enough to provide checks and balances on the president, according to the AP Voter Poll. The finding also carries a caution for Democrats: Dissatisfaction with Republican governance does not necessarily translate into unconditional support for the opposing party.

The phrase “no king in America” expresses a principle underlying the constitutional system: Presidential authority exists alongside the powers of Congress and the courts. The same constitutional limits apply regardless of which party controls an institution.

For Jeffries, Schumer and the incoming majorities, the task will be to translate electoral success into accountable government — addressing economic concerns, examining military commitments and exercising congressional authority within the Constitution.

Central Florida News

HISTORYMAKER: Tiffany Moore Russell makes history as first Black woman elected Orange County mayor

Published

6 hours ago

November 4, 2026

FNN NEWS

Tiffany Moore Russell defeats Chris Messina as housing costs, transportation needs and budget pressures confront the county’s next administration.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Tiffany Moore Russell was elected Orange County’s first Black woman mayor Tuesday, adding another milestone to her public service career as she prepares to lead a county confronting housing affordability, transportation demands and difficult spending decisions.

Moore Russell defeated businessman Chris Messina in the nonpartisan runoff to succeed term-limited Mayor Jerry Demings. Unofficial Associated Press results reported by WFTV showed Moore Russell receiving 266,945 votes, or approximately 63%, compared with 158,247 votes, or approximately 37%, for Messina. Results remain unofficial until certified.

Although candidates ran without party labels on the ballot, Moore Russell is a Democrat and Messina is a Republican. Her victory makes her the first Black woman elected to the county’s top executive position.

Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell speaks at the Orange County State Legislative Delegation. Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News

A historic victory with a message for future leaders

Moore Russell described the milestone as an opportunity to inspire young people who might one day seek public office.

“I think we’re still breaking barriers here in this country, and in Florida, and in Orange County,” she said, according to Central Florida Public Media.

The mayor-elect’s career has included other historic achievements. In 2006, she became the youngest person elected to the Orange County Commission. Her election as clerk of courts in 2014 made her the first Black woman elected to that position in Florida.

The latest victory moves her from overseeing court-related services to leading county government, with responsibility for daily operations, thousands of employees and a multibillion-dollar budget. The mayor also represents Orange County in regional discussions involving transportation, tourism and growth.

Housing affordability tops the agenda

For residents struggling to afford rent or purchase a home, the new administration’s housing decisions will be an early measure of its priorities.

Moore Russell identified housing as her leading issue in a candidate questionnaire published by the News Collaborative of Central Florida. She proposed expanding workforce and affordable housing through public-private partnerships, preserving existing affordable homes and encouraging mixed-income development.

Her proposals also called for coordination with municipalities to increase housing options while protecting neighborhoods.

During the campaign, she supported streamlining permitting to encourage affordable housing construction. Turning those proposals into projects will require decisions about development, infrastructure and the use of county resources.

Transportation needs extend beyond road congestion

Improving transportation will be another major challenge as county leaders consider how residents reach jobs, housing and services.

During an October debate, Moore Russell advocated a more connected rail system, including SunRail service seven days a week. Messina emphasized changes to bus operations and technology intended to make trips more direct and less expensive.

Moore Russell also supported seeking greater flexibility to use tourist development tax revenue for transportation and housing for tourism workers. Changing how those dollars can be spent would require action beyond the mayor’s office, including changes to state law.

Budget pressures will test campaign promises

Moore Russell will enter office following county approval of an approximately $9 billion budget. During the campaign, both candidates emphasized fiscal responsibility while offering different approaches to spending and services.

A central disagreement involved Amendment 3, the proposed property-tax measure on the November ballot. Moore Russell opposed it, citing county projections that it could reduce the following year’s budget by approximately $165 million. Messina supported the measure and questioned whether those projections sufficiently accounted for growth.

At the October debate, Moore Russell said potential budget responses included consolidating departments, reviewing hiring and vacant positions, and adjusting the timing of capital projects. Those options illustrate the choices facing an administration seeking to maintain services while controlling expenses.

Experience helped define the runoff

Moore Russell campaigned on her experience as clerk of courts and a former county commissioner. Messina, a technology entrepreneur, argued that the county needed business leadership and a different approach to government.

The two advanced from an August election that also included former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy and County Commissioner Mayra Uribe. No candidate received the majority necessary to avoid a runoff.

Voters ultimately selected Moore Russell to succeed Demings. Her administration will now face the work of translating campaign proposals into housing, transportation and budget decisions affecting communities throughout Orange County.

Florida

HISTORIC WIN: Byron Donalds elected Florida’s first Black governor

Published

10 hours ago

November 3, 2026

FNN NEWS

Republican defeats Democrat David Jolly following a campaign backed by Black community leaders, including Gainesville Democrat Cynthia Chestnut.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds won Florida’s governor’s race Tuesday, defeating Democrat David Jolly and becoming the first Black person elected to lead the state. NBC News projected Donalds as the winner of the historic contest.

With 99% of the expected vote counted, Donalds received 4,113,531 votes, or 50.1%, compared with 3,996,073 votes, or 48.7%, for Jolly, according to NBC News Decision Desk results. Donalds led by 117,458 votes, approximately 1.4 percentage points. The election-night totals remained unofficial.

Donalds will succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, keeping the governor’s office in Republican hands. His campaign paired conservative policy positions with outreach to Black voters and support from community leaders, including some Democrats.

LIVE from Ft. Lauderdale – Byron Donalds Election Night Watch Party https://t.co/kAF1omsegf
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) November 4, 2026

A historic first for Florida and the nation

Donalds becomes the first Black Republican elected governor in the United States, according to The Washington Post’s election coverage.

He is not the first Black Republican to serve as a governor. Republican P.B.S. Pinchback assumed Louisiana’s governorship during Reconstruction in 1872, becoming the nation’s first Black governor without winning an election to that office.

Virginia Democrat L. Douglas Wilder became the first Black person popularly elected governor in 1989 and took office in 1990. Donalds’ victory establishes a new milestone for Florida and the Republican Party.

Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Moore Chestnut, a longtime public servant whose political career has spanned city, county and state government. Source Cynthia Moore Chestnut

Black leaders’ endorsements preceded historic win

Black elected officials, pastors, business owners and civic leaders became a visible part of Donalds’ campaign.

More than two dozen supporters launched the Florida Coalition of Black Leaders for Donalds to back the congressman and his running mate, Bryan Avila. Its members included sheriffs, lawmakers and educators, reflecting an effort to build support through established community networks.

Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut delivered one of the campaign’s most prominent endorsements across party lines.

Chestnut, a Black Democrat and former state representative, supported Donalds despite disagreements with some of his policies. She said her decision reflected her judgment about Black leadership and frustration with Democrats’ selection of Jolly over Black and Hispanic candidates.

“I want to see a Black governor of Florida in my lifetime,” Chestnut said in a statement reported by WCJB.

Her endorsement drew criticism from Democratic state Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, who cited Donalds’ voting-rights record and challenged the rationale for supporting him. The dispute highlighted differences among Black leaders over representation, party loyalty and public policy.

Donalds’ victory fulfilled the historic outcome Chestnut sought. However, available election-night reporting does not establish how many votes those endorsements generated or whether they determined the result.

Affordability shaped the campaign

The contest also centered on household expenses, particularly housing and homeowners insurance costs in a hurricane-prone state.

Jolly, a former Republican congressman running as a Democrat, sought to attract voters dissatisfied with rising costs. Donalds emphasized affordability, public safety and educational opportunity while defending continued Republican leadership.

The candidates offered different approaches to large data centers. Jolly supported a moratorium on new hyperscale facilities, pointing to environmental and public-health concerns. Donalds favored local decisions about where facilities should be built and said their operations should not raise residents’ utility bills.

Republican advantages faced a competitive challenge

Jolly faced substantial obstacles, including a Republican voter-registration advantage of roughly 1.5 million and Donalds’ stronger fundraising position.

President Donald Trump campaigned with Donalds during the race’s final days. DeSantis also endorsed him, and Donalds portrayed his candidacy as a continuation of the outgoing governor’s approach.

Despite those advantages, polling indicated a competitive contest. A University of North Florida survey conducted Oct. 12-19 showed Donalds ahead 49% to 47%, a difference within the poll’s margin of error.

From state lawmaker to governor-elect

Donalds served in the Florida House before winning election to Congress in 2020. He subsequently became a nationally recognized conservative voice and Trump ally.

He is scheduled to take office Jan. 5, 2027, with affordability among the central challenges awaiting his administration.