Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign event in Spring, Texas, March 4, 2024. /CFP
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will suspend her White House bid on Wednesday, according to AP, citing people familiar with her plans, leaving former U.S. President Donald Trump as the last remaining major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination.
According to the report, three people with direct knowledge who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly confirmed Haley's decision ahead of an announcement by her scheduled for Wednesday morning, a day after the "Super Tuesday" primaries, in which she won only Vermont among 15 states that held Republican contests.
Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, became the first significant rival to former President Trump when she jumped into the race in February 2023.
Haley won't issue an endorsement in that speech, the report said. She will reportedly encourage Trump, who is on his path to becoming the Republican presidential nominee again, to earn the support of Republican and independent voters who backed her.
According to the report, Haley's departure clears Trump to focus solely on his likely rematch in November with Biden. The former president is on track to reach the necessary 1,215 delegates to clinch the Republican nomination later this month.
(With input from agencies)