Haley’s Last Stand: Supporting Sununu for Trump or Kasich for Biden?

Nikki Haley is one of the most prominent Republicans who has not endorsed Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

It is uncertain how long this stance will last.

There are speculations that Haley may eventually endorse Trump before the November election to avoid alienating the Republican Party base permanently. Some even believe that she may be considered as a potential vice presidential candidate by Trump in the upcoming months, despite his recent denial of such claims.

However, if Haley decides to support Trump like many other GOP critics have done, she risks losing the support of her coalition of independents, moderates, and anti-Trump Republicans, who have been backing her in primary contests across various states.

Her choice in the coming months will not only be observed by her supporters but also by allies of Trump and President Joe Biden. The outcome of her decision and whether her coalition follows will have a significant impact on the general election this year and Haley’s future as a top Republican leader with a broad appeal beyond her party.

“Nikki Haley could be a unifying figure for us,” said Thalia Floras, a retail manager from Nashua, New Hampshire, who switched her party affiliation to vote for Haley in the state’s primary election.

However, Floras also cautioned, “Nikki Haley has my support now. But if she aligns with Trump, I’m out.”

Those close to Haley, a former governor and U.N. ambassador, are unsure of her next move.

Haley and Trump have not had a conversation in several months, even after she exited the GOP primary campaign in March. Some Republicans who previously supported Haley may naturally gravitate back to Trump, but the Biden campaign is actively working to court her supporters, who are considered swing voters.

Biden’s team is building a “Republicans for Biden” group, focusing on the hundreds of thousands of Haley voters in battleground states. Biden expressed gratitude to Haley for challenging Trump when she withdrew from the primary race, emphasizing that there is a place for her supporters in his campaign.

On the other hand, Trump has been outwardly critical of Haley, banning her donors from his campaign and making personal attacks against her. Despite this, he has not made any public statements of goodwill towards her since she dropped out of the race.

Biden’s campaign released a digital ad highlighting Trump’s attacks on Haley, aiming to appeal to her supporters. However, Trump’s senior adviser, Jason Miller, focused on criticizing Biden’s coalition instead of addressing Haley directly.

It is unlikely that Haley will endorse Biden outright, as it could harm her chances in a future GOP presidential primary. Biden’s allies are hopeful that high-profile Republicans critical of Trump, like Haley, may choose to stay neutral or endorse Biden based on the broader implications of the election.

Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Republican who endorsed Biden, expressed hope that Haley does not endorse Trump, as it would only provide temporary favor within the Republican Party without considering the long-term consequences.

Despite the pressure to support Trump, Haley has maintained a relatively low profile since ending her 2024 campaign. She recently accepted a position at the Hudson Institute and met with donors and allies in South Carolina without explicitly endorsing Trump.

Her supporters continue to show up in primary contests, demonstrating loyalty to Haley even in the absence of active campaigning. This support indicates Haley’s enduring appeal among a diverse set of voters.

While there is uncertainty surrounding Haley’s next steps, her decision will have significant implications for the upcoming election and her political future.