(NewsNation) — Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has officially dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House, clearing the way for former President Donald Trump to secure the Republican nomination later this year.
While her voters now face a decision on who to support from here on out, Haley had a very clear message for them.
“I have always been a conservative Republican and always supported the Republican nominee,” Haley said. “But on this question, as she did on so many others, Margaret Thatcher provided some good advice when she said, ‘Never just follow the crowd. Always make up your own mind.'”
The presidential hopeful did not tell her supporters who to vote for, nor did she endorse Trump during her remarks. Instead, Haley quoted Margaret Thatcher, saying it’s now up to the voters to decide who they believe is the best candidate for president.
“It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him, and I hope he does that. At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people. This is now his time for choosing,” Haley said.
Haley called on Trump to earn the support of Republicans and Independents who are not with him, ultimately guiding her voters to make a decision best for them and to make Trump work for their support.
Both Trump and President Joe Biden welcomed Haley’s supporters to their campaigns on Wednesday. Trump posted on Truth Social that he openly welcomes them, using the fight against Biden as leverage in winning her voters’ support.
Biden used a similar tactic, attacking Trump in his statement and welcoming Haley’s supporters.
“Donald Trump made it clear he doesn’t want Nikki Haley’s supporters. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign, Biden said. “I know there is a lot we won’t agree on. But … I hope and believe we can find common ground.”
Haley’s supporters, however, have a difficult choice going forward. While some voters said they would instinctively vote for Trump, others suggested not voting at all or voting for a third-party candidate.
“I don’t know. I have no clue. I’ve thought about that. I might not even vote because of two evils,” Haley supporter Judy Weeks-Sullivan told NewsNation.
Chuck Thomas, another one of Haley’s supporters who was rooting for her success, said he’d vote for Trump if it ultimately came down to it.
Mitchell and Barbara Durham both hope and pray that an independent candidate comes along.
“Maybe Nikki could be that,” Barbara Durham said.
Mitchell Durham continued, “If Nikki Haley weren’t running, I don’t know that I could vote for any of the remaining two.”