Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador, has access to considerable funds in her bid against Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. However, polls reveal her message doesn’t resonate well with most Republicans.
She raised over $17 million for her presidential campaign in the last quarter, bringing a solid $14 million in cash into the pivotal election year.
Records show that just over $2 million was directly contributed to Haley’s campaign by Team Stand for America. The committee had around $2 million at the beginning of 2024.
After the Charleston church massacre, she rejected calls to remove the Confederate flag from statehouse grounds; dismissing their rival’s attempt as a desperate maneuver.
SFA Fund Inc.
Haley’s campaign bankroll could provide her with an edge as she seeks to unseat Donald Trump in the long Republican primary battle. However, Wednesday’s figures do not include contributions she has raised through Team Stand for America which can raise unlimited funds from donors.
SFA Fund, which has supported Haley since last fall, revealed in a new report it started this election cycle with $3.5 million on hand before spending $14 million advertising Haley in January – including one spot criticizing Trump.
Citadel CEO Ken Griffin made a $5 million donation to SFA Fund in December; however, its spokesman confirmed to CNN on Wednesday that this contribution has only just been revealed now. Other prominent donors to the super PAC include home decor magnate Ken Langone and oil billionaire Harold Hamm. Haley enjoys strong support among voters who favor abortion restrictions; however polls show she trails Trump overall in New Hampshire.
Independents Moving the Needle
Nikki Haley, after finishing third in Iowa’s caucuses, is looking to gain momentum through an aggressive fundraising effort and increased campaign activity. She has several high-profile fundraisers planned this month – including some in New York where she plans on hosting an exclusive dinner with Wall Street billionaires.
Polls indicate that Haley has a better chance of taking on President Donald Trump in New Hampshire than Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, narrowing Trump’s advantage on airwaves. But Trump and his allies are ramping up their advertising expenditure in New Hampshire to give their candidate an advantage in battleground states like New Hampshire.
Jonathan Bush and Frank Laukien’s pro-Haley super PAC has launched by spending over $1.2 million, including a half-million ad buy on Jan 16. Laukien believes it will reach voters who have not heard about Haley on the campaign trail before, giving her more exposure.
MAGA Inc.
After Haley’s impressive showing in last week’s inaugural Republican Presidential Debate, her campaign and allies are making New Hampshire their primary focus. Ads targeting Trump while emphasizing Haley’s experience are now airing across New Hampshire radio stations.
Haley’s allies have also set up a super PAC to back her, called Make America Great Again Inc, that will replace the existing Great America PAC and be led by former Trump adviser Taylor Budowich, strategist Chris LaCivita and long-term pollster Tony Fabrizio.
According to its six-month disclosure report filed Wednesday, this new group has already raised over $17 million this year, according to a six-month disclosure report filed. That figure includes contributions from Ricketts family – owners of Chicago Cubs – as well as major donors like Helen Schwab, Elliott Management Group’s Paul Singer and Kenneth Griffin from Citadel LLC. Additionally, its filing showed it held $2 million on hand; legally speaking it may raise unlimited contributions but only spend on independent expenditures, rather than on direct campaign expenses such as staff salaries or direct campaign expenses like staff salaries.
Haley for President
Ken Griffin is a billionaire hedge fund manager who recently gave $5 million to Haley’s super PAC during December and January, but it remains to be seen whether or not he’ll back her again now that Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have won Iowa caucuses over her.
Her campaign is banking on an impressive performance in South Carolina to outwit rivals and win over voters who may prefer an alternative to Donald Trump. But losing her home state would be devastating; previous Republican nominees have suffered considerable setbacks when losing their native states.
Haley has highlighted her ties to Lexington County, the heart of South Carolina’s conservative Upstate region, during her campaign. Additionally, her race resonates with voters still reeling from 2015 mass shooting which killed nine black church members; Haley led efforts to remove Confederate flags from Statehouse after that incident.
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