The next four years will be critical for law enforcement officers around the country. A deepening immigration crisis, constant budget cuts, and a divided population has created a dangerous cocktail that is impacting local police departments across the country. We need to ensure that whoever gets elected to office will support police where it matters.
Today, we are examining Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina. As one of the rising stars in the Republican Party, she may bring a completely new style into the GOP and the White House alike. We don’t know yet if she will be on the final 2024 presidential ticket – but it’s not too soon to examine her positions and voting track.
About Nikki Haley
The proud daughter of two professionals who immigrated to the United States, Nikki Hailey always positioned herself as a firm believer in the American Dream. After graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Accounting, she began a career in private-sector finance.
A few years after her marriage, she began exploring public leadership roles in her local Chamber of Commerce. Then, she began carefully cultivating friendships and connections within regional women-centered Republican circles. In 2004, she ran for the State House to represent Lexington County and became the first Indian-American to hold office in South Carolina.
After being re-elected for the same seat in 2006 and 2008, she jumped into the big leagues. In 2010, she was elected Governor of South Carolina, with a comfortable victory against her Democrat opponent. She was reelected as Governor in 2014 by over 14 percentage points. Although some wanted her as a Vice President in the 2016 Presidential Election, she instead accepted a post as an ambassador to the United Nations in 2017.
Haley on Law Enforcement: A vocal defender
Although her position as an Ambassador entailed a certain degree of neutrality, her post-2018 public image has been unequivocally pro-police. Through Twitter, on TV interviews, or at political rallies, she has boldly expressed her gratitude for the Armed Forces and local Police Departments.
For her, supporting law enforcement is a logical position for any American, rather than a partisan issue. She has also openly criticized the “defund the police” movement and the “Black Lives Matter” riots, calling their strategy “yell and scream.”
Some of her strongest statements include:
“Voting against honoring police officers killed in the line of duty is the definition of un-American and cruel.”
“It’s time for our leaders to stand up to looting and rioting and work with law enforcement, not against them.”
But How Does Haley Actually Vote?
At National Police Support Fund, we want candidates to go beyond mere words. Now, Nikki Haley has been away from office for a few years – but she did have enough time as both Governor and State Legislator to prove her mettle.
So when we look at the bills she sponsored, does her love for police stand scrutiny?
Overall, yes. Some of the key moments of Nikki Hailey’s track record include:
- She defended the Second Amendment and signed an executive regulation that defended the right of concealed carry in different businesses.
- She sponsored and signed a series of immigration bills. This includes increased funding for local ICE branches and stronger powers for local Immigration Officers in South Carolina.
- She vetoed a bill that would have allowed pardoned ex-convicts to hide their records.
Finally, her tenure also saw the launch of the “Lunch Buddies” program in South Carolina. This program, which allows police officers to visit local schools once a month, was designed to combat the next generation’s anti-police prejudice and mistrust. Through frequent, but understated interactions, students will learn to appreciate police officers as both defenders and people. It is a great example of Haley’s feminine “soft power,” which will sow the seeds for a friendlier future.
And Who Will You Support?
The Republican Primaries will be an ongoing event throughout the first half of 2024. They will define more than just the final candidate: they will also help us set the agenda before the “big election”. By choosing a pro-police candidate, we may be able to turn the tide on crime and the anti-police movement.
Review our other 2024 candidate spotlights here.
Image Credit: Photo by Gage Skidmore on Flickr
