Trump’s selection means McMaster ascends to governor’s job
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
“Gov. Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country,” Trump said. “She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage.”
Haley, 44, is the first woman and first minority appointed for a cabinet-level position in Trump’s administration.
Haley, in her second term as governor, said she has mixed feelings as she accepts the challenge.
“I always expected to finish the remaining two years of my second term as governor,” Haley said Wednesday. “Not doing so is difficult because I love serving South Carolina more than anything.”
Haley said she accepted the position out of a sense of duty and was satisfied with what her administration has accomplished for the state.
“When the president believes you have a major contribution to make to the welfare of our nation, and to our nation’s standing in the world, that is a calling that is important to heed.” Haley said.
Haley will remain governor until the U.S. Senate confirms her nomination.
“We still have much to do in South Carolina, and my commitment to the people of our state will always remain unbreakable, both while I continue to hold this office, and thereafter,” she said.
Haley was elected in 2010 as the first female and minority governor of the state. She is the daughter of Indian immigrants and grew up in Bamberg.
Haley served three terms in the S.C. House before being elected governor.
Praise came quickly Wednesday from fellow Republicans. State GOP Chairman Matt Moore, House Speaker Jay Lucas, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and S.C. Sen. Greg Gregory all applauded the choice.
“Gov. Haley’s appointment as U.N. ambassador shows how far our state has come and how far our nation can go in the 21st century,” Moore said.
“I couldn’t be more proud that the whole world will get to see Nikki Haley’s strong, principled leadership in action. It’s a great day to be an American!”
Lucas said: “President-elect Trump has made a tremendous and most capable choice by selecting our governor to represent the United States in the international community.”
Gregory sees the appointment as a loss for the state, but a gain for the country. “Gov. Haley is the most authentic, optimistic and competitive person I know,” he said, “and she’ll need those qualities in what will be a very challenging job.”
He applauded her climb “as a second-generation immigrant from little Bamberg, S.C.” and called her rise “a great example of what is possible to those who apply themselves in America.”
The appointment of Haley is a departure from Trump’s recent appointments of loyal supporters. Haley’s support came slowly after a couple of contentious exchanges.
As a child of immigrants, Haley was in opposition to Trump banning Muslims from entering the country.
“No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country,” Haley said in her Republican State of the Union response last January.
Trump shot back with a nasty tweet, “The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley.”
“This election has turned my stomach upside down,” she said in October. “It has been embarrassing for both parties. It’s not something that the country deserves, but it’s what we’ve got.”
Haley endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for president, but just before the election made her support of Trump public.
“This is no longer a choice for me on personalities, because I’m not a fan of either one. What it is about is policy.”
Haley’s lack of foreign-policy experience has already prompted criticism and will draw much attention during the Senate confirmation hearings. If confirmed by the Senate, she will be the first U.N. ambassador without previous foreign policy experience.
Haley has worked with other countries in her efforts to attract businesses to South Carolina. Under her leadership, the state’s jobless rate hit record lows, the state announced 58,000 jobs and more than 25,000 state residents moved from welfare to work.
Haley has been recognized for her calmness and confidence in several crises she handled during her terms as governor. She was praised for her handling of the mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston in 2015 after a white gunman, Dylann Roof, killed nine black members during Bible study.
Less than a month later, Haley signed a bill to remove the divisive Confederate battle flag from the S.C. Capitol grounds.
Haley also led the state through the historic floods in October 2015.
Haley will be replaced by Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster.
Steve Willis, Lancaster County administrator, said McMaster’s position might have influenced Trump to pick Haley.
“An interesting set of circumstances will be set in motion,” he said, “because if she is approved by the Senate, she will vacate the governor’s office and the lieutenant governor will move up.
“That likely played into it, because Lt. Gov. McMaster was a huge Trump supporter, and that gives Trump another sitting governor to support him, whereas Haley was not.”
Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152
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