South Carolina Republican Senate special primary winner?
$2.4M
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Governor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyMainstream Republican
Age54 years old (Jan 20, 1972)
GenderFemale
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LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundPolitician
EducationClemson University (BS)
Notable personal detailsNimarata Nikki Haley is an American politician and diplomat who served as governor of South Carolina (2011–2017) and as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (2017–2018). She previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives (2005–2011). Haley is a Republican and was a candidate in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports tax cuts for individuals and businesses, including proposals to phase out or eliminate the corporate income tax and to flatten/reduce state income-tax brackets; has defended the 2017 federal tax cuts and generally favors lower taxes and reduced tax burden on businesses. Has opposed standalone tax increases but proposed limited tax swaps tied to offsets (for example, a gas-tax increase paired with income-tax cuts at the state level).
Healthcare
Nikki Haley has called for repealing or defunding the Affordable Care Act and opposed Medicaid expansion as governor of South Carolina. She has proposed market-based reforms such as expanding Medicare Advantage, promoting competition, and limiting benefits for wealthier future beneficiaries while preserving current retirees’ benefits. She has also proposed entitlement reforms for younger cohorts, including raising the retirement age to address program solvency concerns.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border enforcement and measures to end "catch-and-release," including reinstating Remain-in-Mexico and Title 42, expanding Border Patrol/ICE staffing, and requiring E‑Verify for employers; opposes family separation but prioritizes stopping illegal entries and deporting those caught.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports restrictions on abortion while opposing criminal penalties for women; has signed and supported state-level limits (including a 20-week ban as governor) and has backed federal limits framed with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life/health of the mother while saying states should play a primary role.
Climate & Energy
Supports market-driven and technology-focused approaches to address climate change while opposing Green New Deal–style federal mandates; emphasizes U.S. energy independence and use of traditional fuels alongside renewables and endorses carbon-capture and reforestation as solutions. Previously helped withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement while describing conservative alternatives to aggressive regulatory proposals.
Public Safety & Guns
Nikki Haley supports broad Second Amendment protections, opposes red-flag laws and new federal background check mandates, and emphasizes school security and mental-health interventions rather than new gun restrictions. She has voiced support for expanded carry/reciprocity and ending "gun-free zones."
News
Nikki Haley said she will not run for president in 2028, ending early speculation about another White House bid. Her comments came as Republicans begin looking ahead to the next open presidential race, with early polling already showing JD Vance and Marco Rubio as leading contenders. Haley has also stayed out of the 2028 field by declining to endorse any potential candidate.
SC’s Nikki Haley rules out 2028 GOP presidential run
JD Vance Gets 2028 Polling Boost With Republican Voters
Who’s Running in 2028?
Markets News, Feb. 20, 2026: Stocks Rise After Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs; Nasdaq Snaps 5-Week Losing Streak
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Endorsements
Endorsers of Nikki Haley for South Carolina Republican Senate special primary winner?
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Fundraising