Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is releasing the delegates she earned through the GOP primary process and encouraging them to support former President Trump as the party's nominee at the Republican National Convention next week.
Haley is freeing up the 97 delegates she earned from primaries and caucuses in a show of Republican unity, according to her former campaign. Her exit from the race earlier this year eased Trump’s path toward the GOP nomination, and she's pledged to vote for her ex-rival over President Biden this fall.
“The nominating convention is a time for Republican unity. Joe Biden is not competent to serve a second term and Kamala Harris would be a disaster for America,” Haley said in a statement. “We need a president who will hold our enemies to account, secure our border, cut our debt, and get our economy back on track. I encourage my delegates to support Donald Trump next week in Milwaukee.”
Trump already has the numbers he needs to secure the nod, but Haley’s move will give him a boost heading into next week’s convention.
There, the former president is expected to announce his running mate pick after months of “veepstakes” suspense, but Haley won’t be among the thousands flocking to Milwaukee.
“She was not invited, and she's fine with that. Trump deserves the convention he wants. She's made it clear she's voting for him and wishes him the best,” Haley spokesperson Chaney Denton said in a statement.
Across the aisle, Biden's campaign has worked to court Haley voters, some of whom have continued to cast primary protest votes for the former U.N. ambassador even after she suspended her bid.
"There is a place in our coalition for Americans who care about the future of our democracy, standing strong with our allies against foreign adversaries, and working across the aisle to get things done for the American people – who also reject the chaos, division and violence that Donald Trump embodies," Biden campaign spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said in a statement after the news of Haley's delegate release.
"Only one candidate shares those values, and only one campaign is working hard every day to earn their support – and that’s President Biden's," Ehrenberg said.
