Nikki Haley Condemns PAC Using Her Name to Endorse Harris as Group Focuses on Wisconsin Republicans

A new campaign, “Haley Voters for Harris”, targets over 77,000 former Nikki Haley supporters in Wisconsin to persuade them to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. The campaign has caused controversy, leading Haley to issue a cease-and-desist letter against it.

Nikki Haley, former U.N. Ambassador and a Republican presidential candidate, expressed her disapproval to Fox News Digital.

“Kamala Harris and I are total opposites on every issue,” Haley said. “Any attempt to use my name to support her or her agenda is deceptive and wrong. I support Donald Trump because he understands we must make America strong, safe, and prosperous.”

The cease-and-desist letter from Haley’s campaign, sent through her law firm, demands that the Haley Voters for Harris PAC cease using her name in association with support for Harris.

Despite Haley’s objections, the group believes that former Haley voters could be crucial in battleground states like Wisconsin.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during the Ketagalan Forum on Indo-Pacific Security in Taipei, Taiwan, on Aug. 21, 2024. (Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Craig Snyder, director of Haley Voters for Harris and former chief of staff to late Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, argues that the group’s outreach could influence the election.

Snyder highlighted that Haley received over 76,000 votes in Wisconsin’s GOP primary despite dropping out of the race. With President Biden winning Wisconsin by a narrow margin in 2020, a shift in voter allegiance could significantly impact the outcome.

Snyder plans to target college-educated and independent-minded Republicans through digital ads, texting, and direct mail, emphasising Harris’ centrist record and her role in the Biden administration’s policies. He contends that although Haley has endorsed Trump, many of her supporters might still be open to considering Harris based on her record.

Following her withdrawal from the GOP race in April, Haley endorsed Trump, consolidating Republican support around him. Haley reiterated her support for Trump during the Republican National Convention, emphasising her commitment to his candidacy.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on Labor Day at Northwestern High School in Detroit, Michigan, on Sept. 2, 2024. (Sarah Rice for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

William Howell, a professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, believes that former Haley voters may be receptive to the campaign.

“It’s possible that their votes are still up for grabs,” Howell said. “You don’t need to change many minds to have an outsized influence, especially in a competitive state like Wisconsin.”

The polling data shows a competitive race, with a recent CNN poll indicating that Harris is leading Trump by 50% to 44%. With both candidates vying for Wisconsin’s crucial electoral votes, the impact of Haley Voters for Harris could be significant in determining the presidential election’s outcome.