Nikki Haley, the former governor of North Carolina and US ambassador to the United Nations, is gaining momentum in the Republican presidential nomination race for 2024. Haley's rise in the polls has been attributed to her strong debate performances and her unique position as the only woman in the GOP race.
According to a Wall Street Journal poll, Haley has secured 15% of the vote, placing her in second place behind former President Donald Trump who maintains a significant lead with 59% of the vote. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis closely follows Haley with 14% of the vote.
In the fourth Republican presidential debate, Haley was the target of attacks from her fellow candidates, notably Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy went as far as to label Haley as 'corrupt' and 'a fascist'. Despite these attacks, Haley has managed to remain composed and focused on her campaign.
As the only woman in the GOP race, Haley has been navigating gender politics in a unique way. She emphasizes her experience as a wife and mother, alongside her political and diplomatic experience. Haley presents a pairing of femininity and strength, discussing the meaning of being an 'Iron Lady' and emphasizing that there's nothing wrong with strong women being feminine.
Haley's campaign is also receiving support from influential donors, including Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn. Her platform includes being a spending hawk, supporting strong border security, and advocating for US self-reliance instead of relying on China.
While Haley's rising numbers could potentially shake up the race, it remains to be seen how far she might go in the nomination process.