Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has released the 97 delegates she earned during the Republican primary elections, freeing them up to support former President Donald Trump at the GOP convention next week in Milwaukee.
“The nominating convention is a time for Republican unity,” Haley told the Washington Examiner. “Joe Biden is not competent to serve a second term, and Kamala Harris would be a disaster for America. 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.”
Haley’s decision comes after she endorsed her former boss in May.
Haley spokeswoman Chaney Denton earlier said that the former South Carolina governor would not attend the gathering, despite encouraging the former president to reach out to Republican primary voters who backed her.
“She was not invited, and she’s fine with that,” Denton told the Washington Examiner. “Trump deserves the convention he wants. She’s made it clear she’s voting for him and wishes him the best.”
AK Kamara, RNC national committeeman-elect for Minnesota and an RNC delegate, told the Washington Examiner that Haley releasing her delegates won’t have as heavy an effect on Minnesota as it does other states because the state’s Republican delegates no longer have to stick with their pledged candidate if that candidate decides to suspend their campaign.
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However, Kamara said he thinks Haley’s move is another way to show how the Republican and Democratic parties differ.
“It’s just another kind of, you know, step in the right direction of unity while the Democrats are in complete disarray and disunity,” Kamara said.
