GILBERT – It was a political homecoming of types for Nikki Haley. However this time she returned as a 2024 GOP presidential contender to the agricultural and suburban stretches of ruby-red Lexington County the place she launched her political profession almost 20 years in the past.
“Once I first mentioned I used to be operating for that Statehouse race, individuals laughed,” she mentioned April 6 of the long-shot run that began her political profession.
“However I set to work and I earned your assist and we gained,” Haley informed a barn-full measuring of a whole lot of supporters some 30 miles west of Columbia in her previous S.C. Home of Representatives district.
“Lexington, we’ve received to do it yet another time,” she mentioned.
Haley bookended her typical stump speech with references meant to enchantment to the native South Carolina crowd about her rise by way of the ranks of state and now nationwide politics in her previous stomping floor in Lexington.
“I didn’t know you were not alleged to run in opposition to a 30-year incumbent in a major,” she mentioned of her 2004 GOP run versus the then-longest-serving member of the Home — state Rep. Larry Koon.
“However as soon as we realized he was associated to half the district, we needed to win,” she mentioned.
Former S.C. governor Nikki Haley speaks to supporters at a rally for her 2024 presidential marketing campaign in Gilbert, S.C., on April 6, 2024. Haley lived in close by Lexington when she was elected governor in 2010. John A. Carlos II/Particular to The Submit and Courier
Haley drew repeated allusions to that first run as she forged herself as a rabble-rouser who received a outcomes, a picture she’s attempting to persuade Republican major voters of as she campaigns on the nationwide stage.
She used the story of her combat to require roll name votes within the Statehouse on any invoice debated on the ground — which met sturdy opposition from the institution — to forged herself as an outsider, virtually a should in at present’s Republican politics.
She recounted her rise from 3 p.c within the polls within the 2010 Republican gubernatorial major to victory, to reassure supporters cautious of her modest standing in present polls versus GOP front-runner Donald Trump.
Nikki Haley indicators autographs and takes footage with followers throughout a marketing campaign cease at The Grove On Augusta in Gilbert, S.C. on April 6, 2023. John A. Carlos II/Particular to The Submit and Courier
State Rep. Nathan Ballentine, a Chapin Republican who was considered one of Haley’s closest political allies within the Home, mentioned he was getting the identical “vibe” on the rally he had throughout Haley’s 2004 run in remarks delivered on the rally.
“There was a man who had that seat. He thought all people cherished him. He thought he did a fantastic job. Somewhat conceited,” Ballentine mentioned in a comment concerning the 2004 run that doubled as a thinly veiled reference to Trump, the present GOP front-runner. “And y’all I’m not speaking about present day stuff. I do know it sounds prefer it.”
A number of attendees had supported Haley in her first run.
“There was numerous door-knocking,” mentioned Allen Amsler, whose household lived in the identical neighborhood because the Haleys in 2004 and who went on to function chair of the state Division of Well being and Environmental Management whereas she was governor.
“She’s at all times had that drive,” he mentioned.
Nell Tyler, a 65-year-old retired state worker who mentioned she’s going to vote for Haley within the South Carolina GOP major subsequent February, mentioned Haley reworked the state as governor and will unite a divided nation.
“I believe Trump is aware of the financial system, however he’s tearing us aside,” she mentioned.
Nikki Haley indicators autographs and takes footage with followers throughout a marketing campaign cease at The Grove On Augusta in Gilbert, S.C. on April 6, 2023. John A. Carlos II/Particular to The Submit and Courier
Nevertheless, there have been additionally lots of the more-recent arrivals who’ve fueled Lexington County’s fast development on the rally, a few of whom weren’t but gained over to Haley.
“I don’t like Trump’s mouth, however I like his insurance policies. I’m hoping DeSantis will are available in and take over, however I need to hear from her,” Linda Patterson, a 70-year-old Colorado transplant, mentioned earlier than the occasion, referring to the Florida governor who’s extensively anticipated to run.
After the retracing her political profession in Lexington County, Haley principally delivered a variation of the stump speech she’s been making at quite a few occasions throughout Iowa and New Hampshire since getting into the race in February.
She criticized each the Biden administration and congressional Republicans for deficit spending, and hammered the president for the chaotic withdraw from Afghanistan and the waves unlawful migration throughout the southern border, which she visited earlier this week.
“Like I informed you want I did once I was your governor,” Haley mentioned. “No extra whining about it; no extra complaining about it. Now we get to work.”
Nikki Haley supporters take heed to the previous S.C. Governor converse at a rally for her 2024 presidential marketing campaign in Gilbert, S.C., on April 6, 2024. Haley lived in close by Lexington when she was elected governor in 2010. John A. Carlos II/Particular to The Submit and Courier
Haley repeated requires entitlement reform, stepped-up deportations on the border and a ban on discussing gender in public colleges earlier than seventh grade, which she pitched as a extra expansive model of DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice in Florida.
She drew one other implicit distinction with DeSantis, who has sometimes been tepid in his assist for Ukraine. She described the struggle a combat for freedom that should be gained.
Haley made no point out of Trump’s indictment on 34 expenses associated to allegedly paying hush cash to an grownup movie actor in New York.
After the occasion ended, Patterson, the Colorado transplant, mentioned she was “very impressed,” with Haley’s speech however when requested if the remarks put Haley on par with DeSantis, she hesitated.
“Actually shut,” she mentioned.
