WASHINGTON: Indian-American politician Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign on Wednesday after being “trounced” in 15 states across the US on Super Tuesday, paving the way for a rematch between her rival Donald Trump and incumbent US President Joe Biden in the November elections.
After Super Tuesday’s election results, former US president Trump, 77, had established a commanding lead in the delegate count over his only Republican opponent, 52-year-old Haley, who denied him a full sweep by winning Vermont.
“The time has now come to suspend my campaign,” she said on Wednesday in South Carolina. “I said I wanted Americans to have their voices heard. I have done that. I have no regrets,” she added. “Although I will no longer be a candidate, I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in.” As Haley suspended her campaign Wednesday morning, Trump posted on social media that the former South Carolina governor got “trounced” on Super Tuesday and invited her supporters to join his political movement.
“Nikki Haley got trounced last night, in record-setting fashion, despite the fact that Democrats, for reasons unknown, are allowed to vote in Vermont, and various other Republican Primaries. Much of her money came from Radical Left Democrats, as did many of her voters, almost 50%, according to the polls,” Trump posted.
Haley congratulated her rival and former boss Trump during her announcement ending her presidential campaign but stopped short of endorsing him.
“In all likelihood, Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee when our party convention meets in July. I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be America’s president. Our country is too precious to let our differences divide us,” Haley said.