Indian-American Republican Nikki Haley to announce US presidential bid

New York: Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley has announced her plans to launch the 2024 presidential campaign by February 15.

The 51-year-old has served as South Carolina governor for six years. She also served as ambassador to the UN during Trump's tenure. She will join former President Donald Trump in the race which is against her earlier remark that she will not challenge him if he ran again. When Fox News asked about it, she said a lot has changed. She previously expressed doubt about Trump's political future after the Capitol riots of January 2021.

Three national polls released in January showed that Haley is only polling at 3% as opposed to Trump's range of 48-55% and Florida governor Ron DeSantis following second with 46%.

According to The Post and Courier, Haley will formally declare her candidacy for the White House at an event in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 15. An invitation will be soon going out to her supporters. The confirmation she is entering the race came on January 31 from a member of Haley's inner circle, said the report.

She earlier said that the US cannot have a second term under Joe Biden and she can be the new leader who can take the country in a new direction. "It’s time for a new generation. It’s time for new leadership. And it’s time to take our country back. America is worth the fight — and we’re just getting started," she wrote on Twitter a few days ago.

"When you’re looking at a run for president, you look at two things. You first look at the current situation and push for new leadership. The second question is, ‘Am I that person that could be that new leader? Yes, we need to go in a new direction. And can I be that leader? Yes. I think I can be that leader," she told Fox News.

The next US presidential election is scheduled to be held on November 5, 2024.