Nikki Haley formally announces 2024 presidential run

On Tuesday morning, Nikki Haley formally announced that she is running for president in 2024.

The former Ambassador to the United Nations under former President Donald Trump released a video to Twitter announcing the run. stating that "it’s time for a new generation of leadership."

The former South Carolina governor opened the video discussing her upbringing, speaking on being the daughter of Indian immigrants in a racially segregated town. 

"Railroad tracks divided the town by race. I was the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. Not black, not white, I was different. But my mom would always say your job is not to focus on the differences, but the similarities," said Haley.

"And my parents reminded me and my siblings every day how blessed we were to live in America," she continued.

Haley noted that some claim America is founded on bad principles, ideas that are "racist and evil," but added that "nothing could be further from the truth." 

"I have seen evil. In China, they commit genocide. In Iran, they murdered their own people for challenging the government. And when a woman tells you about watching soldiers throw her baby into a fire, it puts things in perspective. Even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America." 

Haley went on to cite recent presidential elections, stating that "Republicans have lost the popular vote in seven out of the last eight presidential elections. That has to change."

"Joe Biden's record is abysmal," she added, "but that shouldn’t come as a surprise."

"The Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again. It’s time for a new generation of leadership to rediscover fiscal responsibility, secure our border, and strengthen our country, our pride, and our purpose."

Speaking on the rising threat of China and Russia, Haley said, "They all think we can be bullied, kicked around. You should know this about me, I don’t put up with bullies. And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels."

Haley, who served as UN Ambassador under Trump between January 2017 and December 2018, is the first Republican to officially throw their hat in the ring against Trump, who announced his run shortly after the midterm elections last year. Sen Tim Scott is also expected to announce his run in the coming days.

According to a Yahoo/YouGov poll conducted between February 2 and 6, Haley was trailing behind Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has not formally announced a run but is favored by some in the Republican party.

11 percent of poll respondents said they would vote for Haley, while 35 percent said they would vote for DeSantis and 38 percent said they would vote for Trump.

According to the Daily Mail, Haley will hold her first campaign event in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday.