Moderates and Establishment Continue to Favor Haley for Trump

Former Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina, a member of the GOP, has publicly announced that she will be voting for the presumed Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. This has sparked interest from moderates and the liberal media who were hoping for Haley to be considered as a potential running mate.

Politico published a report titled “Hill GOP urges Trump to consider an establishment running mate — maybe even Haley,” although Trump has made it clear that he is not considering Haley as a potential vice presidential candidate.

During the early primary states, the Trump campaign criticized Haley for collaborating with anti-Trump Democrats who ultimately stated their intention to vote for President Joe Biden. These early states allowed open primaries where independents and Democrats could vote against Republicans in order to influence the GOP nomination process.

Despite some Republicans not backing Trump, Haley’s public endorsement of him may help, according to Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas. Marshall told Politico, “People in these primaries are still voting for Nikki Haley. I think we need to focus on that group of people. I hope we get a vice president that will appeal to that group. Then those folks will start coming home.”

While Trump has consistently ruled out Haley as a potential running mate, he has also ruled out other former presidential primary opponents who appeared in early debates. Other potential contenders for key roles in a Trump administration include former rival Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio.

Despite some Republicans like Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., initially supporting Haley during the primaries, many have now shifted their support to Trump following Haley’s endorsement. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is advocating for Scott as a potential running mate, emphasizing his wide support within the GOP.

While the media continues to speculate about Haley as a VP candidate, Trump remains firm in his decisions. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, echoed Trump’s sentiments, stating, “People keep trying to float Nikki Haley’s name on the list, and [Trump] keeps saying ‘not happening.’ I would agree with that.”

J.D. Vance emphasized that Trump will ultimately make the decision, and external reports will not influence his choice. “I’ll just say I’m glad it’s not my decision,” Vance told Politico. “He’s got pretty good instincts. My advice, for what it’s worth, is that Trump follows his.”