'I will not stop using my voice.' Haley suspends presidential bid, doesn't endorse Trump

Nikki Haley announced she was suspending her 2024 presidential campaign Wednesday morning, after suffering disappointing losses across the country on Super Tuesday.

"Filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support we've received from all across our great country but the time has come to suspend my campaign," she said in a speech in Charleston.

"I said I wanted Americans to have their voices heard. I have done that. I have no regrets. And although I will no longer be a candidate I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in."

In her speech, she also mentioned a special moment between her and her mom. "Just last week my mother, a first-generation immigrant got to vote for her daughter for president. Only in America."

Nikki Haley's direct message to Donald Trump

"In all likelihood, Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee when our party convention meets in July," she said. "I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be America's president.

"Our country is too precious to let our differences divide us," she said "I have always been a conservative Republican and always support the Republican nominee."

Haley did not support former President Trump in her speech but referenced Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to explain her reasoning. "Margaret Thatcher provided some good advice when she said, 'Never just follow the crowd, always make up your own mind.

"It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. And I hope he does that. At its best, politics are about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause needs more people. This is now his time for choosing."

Haley warns about national debt, standing by nation's allies

"Our national debt will eventually crush our economy," she said. "A smaller federal government is not only necessary for our freedom, it is also necessary for our survival. The road to socialism is the road to ruin for America."

Haley also had harsh words for members of Congress. "Our Congress is dysfunctional and only getting worse," she said. "It is filled with followers not leaders. Term limits for Washington politicians are needed now more than ever."

In her speech, Haley also warned against America turning its back on its allies. "Our world is on fire because of America's retreat," she said. "Standing by our allies in Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan is a moral imperative. If we retreat further, there will be more wars, not less."

Nikki Haley's message to women and girls

"I end my campaign with the same words I began with from the Book of Joshua and I direct them to all Americans but especially to so many of the women and girls out there who put their faith in our campaign," she said. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For God will be with you wherever you go.

"In this campaign, I have seen our country's greatness. From the bottom of my heart, thank you America. God Bless you."

Nikki Haley's exit leaves matchup between Trump/Biden

Haley's exit paves the way for former President Donald Trump to coast to the nomination, setting up an all-but-guaranteed rematch of the 2020 election with President Joe Biden.

Haley was the last remaining challenger to Trump, who is now headed toward clinching the Republican nomination at the convention this summer, according to USA Today.

Haley won 89 delegates in the GOP race, compared to Donald Trump’s 995 and counting, according to USA Today.

Click here to read the USA Today article.

The story will be updated throughout the morning.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Nikki Haley suspends campaign, ask Trump to earn her followers' votes