Haley in GOP convention spotlight after Vance named running mate
Nikki Haley, the final rival during the GOP presidential primaries, took center stage at the Republican National Convention following a tumultuous series of events that led to her speaking engagement.
One day after Donald Trump was formally nominated as the GOP’s 2024 presidential candidate with Sen. JD Vance as his running mate, Haley, who had launched her own presidential campaign in February of the previous year, found herself in the spotlight once again.
Haley had not been invited to speak at the convention and had no intentions of attending until Saturday’s shocking assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. The incident, which left Trump bloodied and one spectator dead, spurred the GOP to rally around their standard-bearer, resulting in Haley’s invitation to address the convention.
Former President Trump, who had faced off against Haley in a contentious two-candidate showdown from the New Hampshire primary through Super Tuesday, welcomed her presence as a show of party unity.
After suspending her White House campaign on March 6, following Trump’s victories on Super Tuesday, Haley remained vocal and continued to attract up to 20% of the vote in subsequent Republican primaries.
In May, Haley publicly declared her support for Trump, releasing all of her delegates and urging them to back the former president.
As the GOP aims to regain control of the Senate, several high-profile Republican Senate candidates also addressed the convention alongside Haley and Vance, symbolizing a party looking toward the future dominated by Trump and his staunch supporters.
One of the most anticipated moments of the convention was Trump’s announcement of Vance as his running mate, solidifying their partnership and paving the way for a united front heading into the 2024 election cycle.
Vance, a former venture capitalist and bestselling author, emerged as a top contender for the vice-presidential slot, ultimately becoming Trump’s pick over other notable Republicans like Gov. Doug Burgum and Sen. Marco Rubio.
The Republican National Convention continues to unfold in Milwaukee, presenting a tableau of political figures, party delegates, and supporters gearing up for a crucial election ahead.
