Surprising absolutely no one, Nikki Haley has won the support of two of the Senate’s most prominent RINOs.
On Friday, Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine both endorsed Haley’s campaign.
“I am proud to support Governor Nikki Haley,” Murkowski said in a statement. “America needs someone with the right values, vigor and judgment to fill the role of its next president, and there is no one better in this race than her.”
“Nikki will be a strong leader and uphold the ideals of the Republican Party as he serves as president for all Americans,” he continued.
Collins, meanwhile, called Haley “extremely qualified” to fill the Oval Office.
“He has the energy, intellect and temperament that we need to lead our country in these very tumultuous times,” Collins said, according to the Bangor Daily News.
Haley thanked the couple for their support on Platform X, explaining that she was “grateful to have their support.”
Two strong senators in one day. I am grateful to have their support. Thanks Sens. @senatorcollins AND @lisamurkowski. We have a country to save! https://t.co/rnWn4ih8tH
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 2, 2024
It’s unclear why the two senators decided to support Haley so late in the race, given that her chances of defeating Donald Trump appear close to zero.
So far, Haley has lost to Trump in every major race she has run in, including her home state of South Carolina. She also finished third behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Iowa.
Nonetheless, she pledged to continue her campaign until at least Super Tuesday.
“I’m an accountant. I know 40% isn’t 50%,” he said after the recent defeat at Michigan. “But I also know that 40% is not a tiny group.”
“I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I will continue to run,” he said. “I am a woman of my word.”
Nikki Haley will remain in the presidential race:
“I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run for president…I am a woman of my word.” pic.twitter.com/xJPWMizMci
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 25, 2024
Haley, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration, has also garnered support from other well-known RINOs and neoconservatives, including former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, neoconservative thought leader Bill Kristol and Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Arizona Senator and presidential candidate John McCain.
Many have accused her of running to sabotage Donald Trump, although she recently called herself a “conservative Republican” and downplayed the prospect of running an independent campaign on a third-party ticket.