Now that Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign has ended, one of her supporters refuses to support former President Donald Trump and intends to vote reluctantly for President Joe Biden.
Another Haley primary supporter admits that he has always been a “closet Trump fan” and will vote for the former president again in November.
The former UN ambassador’s base was never large enough to effectively oppose Trump before he won a third consecutive Republican nomination. However, in what appears to be a tight rematch between Trump and Biden, the apparent schism among Haley’s voters and funders might harm Trump’s general election chances, particularly in key areas where suburban voters are skeptical of Trump’s return to the White House.
For the time being, discussions with Haley’s supporters indicate that they might go in a variety of directions, with some supporting Trump, others supporting Biden, and others exploring third-party choices or delaying a decision on the presidential campaign.
Haley has not spoken publicly since abandoning the race and encouraging Trump to reach out to all Republicans. She has not endorsed Trump and has hinted that she may not ever do so.
“She said it’s up to him to earn the support of those who supported her, and he’s got to earn it,” said Eric Tanenblatt, Haley’s Georgia campaign co-chairman and a longtime GOP fundraiser. “Right now, I am definitely not there. It tells me that there are still unanswered questions among other major Haley donors waiting for a sign.
A reluctant return to Trump for some voters
Glenn Swanson, a retired architect from Cedar Falls, Iowa, caucused for Haley after witnessing her campaign in his hometown. Initially, he was considering a Trump alternative but ultimately decided to support the candidate he had previously backed in both 2016 and 2020. Despite having reservations about Trump’s four felony indictments and other civil cases, Swanson remains steadfast in his support for Haley.
“I will definitely be voting for Trump,” Swanson expressed during the interview. “To be honest, I have secretly admired Trump for some time, but I was hoping that someone else would come forward and provide a change from all the unnecessary commotion.”
John Wynstra, a database administrator who attended the same event, had been torn between Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis before ultimately deciding to caucus for her. Wynstra explained that his support for Trump and the party’s platform is a strategic move, mainly driven by his opposition to Biden. However, he also mentioned the possibility of considering a third-party candidate like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In South Carolina, Michael Burgess, a high school teacher, expressed his support for Biden and criticized Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. He mentioned that unless Haley or a moderate like Liz Cheney runs as an independent candidate, he would not be supporting them.
“I will reluctantly cast my vote for Biden,” Burgess stated. “While we may be able to endure unfavorable policies, we cannot withstand the erosion of our Constitution by a morally bankrupt individual like Trump, who is supported by his congressional allies in the MAGA movement. Their actions would lead to just that.”
Her donors say they haven’t heard from Trump camp
Like many others who were initially attracted to Haley, Tanenblatt, who served as her Georgia campaign’s co-chairman, grew disillusioned with Trump due to what he perceived as his use of “inflammatory rhetoric.” This disillusionment was primarily fueled by the events that transpired on January 6, 2021, when a group of his supporters launched an attack on the Capitol.
Tanenblatt acknowledges that Trump’s stance on military aid to Ukraine represents a significant policy difference. He further reveals that he has engaged in discussions with former supporters of Haley, who are considering joining No Labels, a third-party organization focused on creating a unified ticket comprising presidential and vice-presidential candidates from opposing parties.
Most of Haley’s donors have paused their contributions, with influential fundraisers mentioning that they have yet to receive any communication from Trump’s team. Additionally, they express their hesitation to make any decisions at this time.
Simone Levinson, a Florida-based fundraiser for Nikki Haley, expressed her belief that many people who were heavily involved in Haley’s campaign are currently going through a period of recalibrating. According to Levinson, the campaign was a calling, something larger than any individual involved. Levinson hosted events for Haley in both New York and Florida.
If those donors were to come to the former president’s side, they could be of great help to Trump.
At present, Biden and national Democrats are significantly ahead of Trump and national Republicans in terms of fundraising. By the end of February, Trump’s campaign and allied groups had a cash on hand of $37 million, whereas the Democrats had a substantial $155 million in their coffers.
In a testament to her enduring impact, Haley concluded last month with $11.5 million, a sum that surpassed the $11.3 million held by the Republican National Committee at the time, mere days before she halted her campaign.
