May 14, 2009
Posted: May 14th, 2009 04:39 PM ET

From
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has a protege of sorts in the race to succeed him.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has a protege of sorts in the race to succeed him.

(CNN) – One of Mark Sanford's top political allies is entering the race to succeed him as South Carolina governor.

Rep. Nikki Haley, a 37-year-old third-term state representative from Lexington, announced her bid on Thursday and immediately signaled that she will assume the Sanford mantle of fiscal conservatism.

"For more than five years I've sat in the statehouse and watched - sometimes in disbelief - as our state government has spent with abandon and in the process wasted taxpayer dollar after taxpayer dollar," Haley said in a statement.

In the state house, she has been a loyal backer of Sanford's small-government initiatives, proposals which have often irked other Republican lawmakers. Haley also plans to hire Sanford's Washington-based political consultant, Jon Lerner, to run her campaign.

Haley became the first Indian-American Republican state legislator in the country in 2004 after winning a nasty primary runoff that featured an anonymous mail attack calling attention to her non-white heritage.

She would become South Carolina's first female governor - if she can survive a crowded Republican primary already loaded with South Carolina GOP heavyweights who are backed by some of the state's best political strategists.

Although Haley is regarded as a rising star among South Carolina Republicans, several GOP operatives in the state not affiliated with rival campaigns told CNN they were surprised she is choosing to jump into a five-way primary now rather than wait for a clearer opportunity at a later date.

Other candidates in the race for the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nomination include South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, South Carolina Rep. Gresham Barrett, South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, state Sen. Larry Grooms and Furman University professor Brent Nelson.

UPDATE: Sanford released a statement Thursday praising Haley.

"Nikki Haley is a true conservative and one of our state's leading voices for fiscal responsibility and government reform," Sanford said. "It's too early to endorse anyone, but I would say Nikki Haley would make a terrific and inspiring choice as governor, and she's a great addition to the field of candidates."

Filed under: Mark Sanford • Nikki Haley • South Carolina


skyhawkdriver   May 15th, 2009 5:48 am ET

The democrats continue to lose face..they belittle the fiscal conservtives of state governments while their hero in the white house continues to hoodwink everyone..200,000 chrysler workers are going to lose their jobs after dealerships close..who own chrysler??..gee isn't it obama..GM is getting ready to close even more dealerships when obama becomes chairman of the board..change we can believe in???..does anyone know who has hired the most people since the inaugriation??..that's right..the federal government has hired 75,000 people..you can critisize the states all you want but they have a budget to live with..apparently the federal government does not..

skyhawkdriver   May 15th, 2009 5:46 am ET

The democrats continue to lose face..they belittle the fiscal conservtives of state governments while their hero in the white house..200,000 chrysler workers are going to lose their jobs after dealerships close..who own chrysler??..gee isn't it obama..GM is getting ready to close even more dealerships when obama becomes chairman of the board..change we can believe in???..does anyone know who has hired the most people since the inaugriation??..that's right..the federal government has hired 75,000 people..you can critisize the states all you want but they have a budget to live with..apparently the federal government does not..

Neil   May 14th, 2009 9:42 pm ET

Gracious! Just look at all those Republicans lining up for the Party. Better call Rush. How else is a true Republican to make sense out of all these folks.

Veronica   May 14th, 2009 9:39 pm ET

"For more than five years I've sat in the statehouse and watched — sometimes in disbelief — as our state government has spent with abandon and in the process wasted taxpayer dollar after taxpayer dollar," Haley said in a statement.

--

Well, her smaller government ally, Gov. Sanford, didn't have to sign all those spending bills, either.

So, is she looking to keep SC the welfare that it is? Seems that way from where I sit.

Wolves 4 Palin Charlotte, NC   May 14th, 2009 9:26 pm ET

The broken down schools, unemployed, fired teachers, and neglected students can't wait for another of these pale riders. I am sure the "upper crust" of S.C. is orgasmic over this.

Love Carolina   May 14th, 2009 9:21 pm ET

Perhaps some of you haven't been to SC lately...FYI, some of us have indoor plumbing and the Lt. Governor is sponsoring a program that will have us all wearing shoes.

We'd love to have you come visit...we might be a tad smarter and smidge more tolerant than you think. International investors seem to get along with us real well...and we like them too.

Oh, and about this election...we just love us some good ole intellectual discourse (from all sides).

Come on down for a visit real soon. God bless.

Doc6   May 14th, 2009 8:58 pm ET

The comments on this blog are unbelievable! How many of these idiots know WHO she is? Representative Haley will make an outstanding Governor, one who cares about South Carolina, its education and its people. Furthermore, she understands that you do not spend your way into debt and expect prosperity. Anyone taken a look at California lately? They think they are the trend-setters. They're setting the trend alright, right into bankruptcy and the U.S. is following in the same footsteps. She understands that this kind of math does not work. Good luck everyone else, I'll take Nikki Haley as my Governor all day long!

ugghh in SC   May 14th, 2009 8:55 pm ET

assuming the Sanford mantle of fiscal conservatism is sort of like assuming the Wiley Coyote mantle of chasing Roadrunners: In the end, you wind up plummeting off a cliff.

kadar   May 14th, 2009 8:46 pm ET

hate mongers is over...we need hope over hate

Georgia   May 14th, 2009 8:43 pm ET

Its all right to be fiscally conservative – but don't you have to have SOME COMPASSION for your constituents??? Its a good thing to care about things like unemployment and the overall living standards for the people of his state. And his state is the toilet of the US because of him.

Gretchen, MD   May 14th, 2009 8:19 pm ET

Sounds like a Sarah Palin wanna-be.

hongli   May 14th, 2009 8:16 pm ET

The Republican party is done like dinner. Stick a fork and turn off the lights please ,now rest in peace.

Lou from CT   May 14th, 2009 7:35 pm ET

It is astounding to see the Republicans scrambling to find their way...

Dace Tucson   May 14th, 2009 7:15 pm ET

Can't they get a human being to run in this state? Don't they know the civil war ended and the white hood party that remains in control today has ruined their state? Well I guess hypocrisy is what the right wing lives on – decrying taxes and government, insisting on a theocracy, continuing hate for all minorities and women – yet being a virtual welfare state – disgusting.

Cynthia - Arkansas   May 14th, 2009 7:07 pm ET

Do they have a good Democrat who will run?

Dee, NJ   May 14th, 2009 6:55 pm ET

GOP Southern, SC Gov is not going winning this time!

randall   May 14th, 2009 6:55 pm ET

I pray and hope that the people of South Carolina will send the republicans home and replace them with moderate thinking democrats or independents.

Your neighbor in N.C.

Glenn Doty, Columbia, SC   May 14th, 2009 6:42 pm ET

I still want a polling agency to actually poll SC on Sandford's relative popularity.

I'm pretty certain Sanford has lost about 20 points in approval due to his stunt with the stimulus money. For Haley to tie her skirts to Sanford's coat-tails in this... shows better than anything else could how stupid she is.

If she's the best the GOP has to offer, perhaps the democrats might actually win in SC in 2010.
(not certain... but there's a chance)

sg   May 14th, 2009 6:29 pm ET

geordie: she is not native american. she is indian-american. her parents are from india. get the difference? trail of tears means nothing to her. if you want to dump on democrats through a convoluted andrew jackson relationship, just do so. don't show your ignorance in the process. in any event the democrats of old are today's republicans. much like your strom thurmond.

Charleston Resident   May 14th, 2009 6:17 pm ET

I am a SC resident and have lived here most of my life and I will tell you from what I see and hear – most, if not all, of the educated businessmen I have worked with at best mock Mr. Sanford, and at worst, well...
The nickname many have dubbed him for his air-headed politics and almost laughable antics is actually "Governor Moonbeam."
Take it for what it is, but that is his reputation among many of the business leaders, Democrat and Republican alike, in the upstate and even low country. So why, do you ask, is he governor? Well – if you paint a hedgehog red and put a Palin pin on it, 70 percent of our under-educated state will make sure that animal goes straight to the governor's mansion. We are...in summary....very, very dumb.

whaley41   May 14th, 2009 6:14 pm ET

@Once You Vote Black, you are the stupid racist!!! And while you are at it, learn to spell, or don't they teach spelling in other states. I am glad you are not in the South! Stay away!! You idiots only know about the South from the liberal talking heads.

Lilarose in Bandon, Oregon   May 14th, 2009 6:10 pm ET

So what is WRONG with "spending?"

How else can we take care of the needs of our country if we don't "spend?"

We the People are the spenders! We need things the entire public uses: roads, schools, street lights, refuse dumps, electrical grids, you name it, we need it to share in society.

So why then do we collect taxes if the money isn't supposed to be "spent?"

Bush Two spent a HUGE amount of money, especially on his wars.

arithmetic is liberal   May 14th, 2009 6:04 pm ET

rhondabeyer May 14th, 2009 3:52 pm ET

"CNN" The Clinton News Network

Wow! Nothing like an (unrelated) oldie but a goodie!
Never heard that one before...

arithmetic is liberal   May 14th, 2009 6:04 pm ET

If she believes so much in fiscal conservatism, let's see her put her plans in action. No more money for SC. You get to be fiscally conservative on your own.

South Carolina is a welfare queen.

Mari( maybe one of my comments will be posted)   May 14th, 2009 6:03 pm ET

"For more than five years I've sat in the statehouse and watched — sometimes in disbelief — as our state government has spent with abandon and in the process wasted taxpayer dollar after taxpayer dollar," Haley said in a statement.
_______________________________________________________

Why Ms. Haley, and I believed that all Republicans were "fiscal conservatives"! So, let me get this straight, the GOP *** controlled*** South Carolina legislature has been spending with ....... "abandon"!?! Yikes! And I thought only Bush & DICK did that!

RB, CA   May 14th, 2009 5:39 pm ET

Yes, she will continue the tradition of "fiscal conservatism" that has made South Carolina a perennial welfare state, taking more money from the federal government in aid, than it gives back in taxes. Sounds like the republicans have a plan. Unfortunately, it's the same old plan.

Annette   May 14th, 2009 5:30 pm ET

God, help South Carolina and all its resident there. Amen!

Joyce   May 14th, 2009 5:23 pm ET

I sure hope the Democrats find someone to run against this lady. When I listen to Governor Sanford grandstanding, I am embarassed to live in South Carolina. He is only interested in his political ambitions and not the people.

Matt   May 14th, 2009 5:22 pm ET

I only drive through SC and vacation there from time to time but hasn't Sanford's fiscal policies been somewhat disastrous to the state economy? I do know that for every $1 SC pays in taxes it receives $1.35 in federal aide. Thats was even before the Stimulus package was passed. But hey if she wins she'll continue his fiscal policies. Woo-Hoo!!!

Moderate Democrat   May 14th, 2009 5:18 pm ET

YAY: South Carolina has found another person that will treat the children to a poor education, the jobless to less jobs and the citizens to neglect and abuse!

Yay for Conservatives, an Equal Opportunity Torture, Abuse and Mismanagement advocate!

Geordie   May 14th, 2009 5:13 pm ET

I am happy to see a woman wiht Indian heritage rise out of the Republican party, even if it is backwoods SC politics. Look how progressive that is from the Strom Thurmond days. She would be a Democrat naturally but the reason Indian heritage folks choose Republican is because Andrew Jackson was a Democrat and they still see that as a party against their heritage from the Trail of Tears Day. I don;'tknow much about her, but if she can win, Republican or not, it would be a huge step for South Carolina's political image.

mariel   May 14th, 2009 5:12 pm ET

As a resident of SC, Sanford has run our state into the dirt. It is literally crumbling. People have had it with him and will not vote for anyone associated with this excuse for an elected official.

Ken   May 14th, 2009 5:06 pm ET

And I'll bet that she has a whole NEW PLAN – Lower the taxes of the rich and let the effects trickle down!!

Moderate Man   May 14th, 2009 5:03 pm ET

Sanford has become the laughing stock of the Carolina's. Who in their right mind would take up his "mantle" of hurting people in his home state?

Jean 2   May 14th, 2009 5:02 pm ET

Isn't this the state with the RUN DOWN SCHOOL that refused stimulus money??
Why was she only watching? Why not participate in finding solutions addressing the needs of the citizens of her state? Now she wants the top state job?

Citizens of the state of South Carolina wake up, it is not about political party or being a female manority IT SHOULD BE ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF YOUR STATE!!

Elias   May 14th, 2009 4:57 pm ET

I am glad that everyone around the country sees what a mess the Republicans in SC are making. As a resident of the state I hope that the Democrats can find someone to run against the GOP list of baffooons. I am glad that Gov. Sanford is out of the governor's mansion!

Rush Rove Cheney   May 14th, 2009 4:53 pm ET

Wow!! Just what South Carolina needs....another conservative running for office. Isn't this state almost last in every department?

The only good thing to come out of South Carolina was a busload of moderate thinkers going home in another state.

Crazy ass human being   May 14th, 2009 4:49 pm ET

Funny, that's no different than the Fed's wasting dollar after dollar.
And if she's elected- -No Change

Once You Vote Black   May 14th, 2009 4:45 pm ET

Wow, I am glad my family escaped that hell whole in the 1800s. The women are just a racist as the men. The GOP will have tiny little circular firing squads for the next 20 years. Southerners are stupid.

Simmy   May 14th, 2009 4:44 pm ET

I hope she gets a political beat down......

Gambi   May 14th, 2009 4:44 pm ET

Independent from Texas......Ouch! I'm from South Carolina and anything but a racist. I voted for hope not hate.....Obama/Biden 2008

Gambi   May 14th, 2009 4:39 pm ET

Don't judge Davis harshly because he worked for Sanford. Davis has a better balance than Sanford and gets both sides of an issue. For the record I'm anything but a Sanford fan, I'm angry about his stubborn stance even Lindsay Graham told Stanford to get a grip.

Shari, NY   May 14th, 2009 4:33 pm ET

South Carolina is literally poor. Ask the people who live there. Why is that?

IndependentfromTexas   May 14th, 2009 4:30 pm ET

SC folks appear to racists beyond belief. I wish her the best in GOP primary and hope she loses badly in the election against Dem. GOP needs to be kicked hard – so hard – in its back that they will divorce hate-mongers and KKK types out of the party (Hannity, MF Savage etc)

Matthew   May 14th, 2009 4:28 pm ET

Maybe she's choosing to jump into a crowded five-way primary because she'd be facing all white men. If she can appeal to female voters and these so-called "heavyweights" split the vote among men, she may be on to something. Either way, no one knew who she was before today and now she's on CNN. Not a bad way to make a name for yourself early in the game.

Ryan   May 14th, 2009 4:26 pm ET

rhondabeyer,you're a buffoon! if you got a problem with CNN then why do you come here?

WhoCares?   May 14th, 2009 4:25 pm ET

Republican Primaries are going to be so much fun to watch.

I'm getting my Popcorn ready right now!

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   May 14th, 2009 4:22 pm ET

I hope neither one of thim win.

tee   May 14th, 2009 4:22 pm ET

Good, you will go down with the rest of the No solution having,non logical thinking, fear mongering, ignorant rethugs.

Gambi   May 14th, 2009 4:20 pm ET

I'd rather see State Senator Tom Davis run. Davis was at one time Sanford's chief of staff and as an Independent voter I would support Tom Davis. He is a reasonable, rational, gifted Republican legislator who would be good for the state of South Carolina.

VON BISMARK,Vienna.   May 14th, 2009 4:16 pm ET

Mr. Nostimulus money :- Good luck

Republicans are the American Taliban   May 14th, 2009 4:13 pm ET

"For more than five years I've sat in the statehouse and watched — sometimes in disbelief — as our state government has spent with abandon and in the process wasted taxpayer dollar after taxpayer dollar," Haley said in a statement

Listenin to NASCAR on the radio and Twitterin....

donttreadonme   May 14th, 2009 4:12 pm ET

Good luck lets keep it reasonably clean.

Remedios, MD   May 14th, 2009 4:08 pm ET

Hey, maybe we should ALL jump into the race in South Carolina. Seems to me like there's a "FREE FOR ALL" contest going on in the south. Anyone and everyone is qualified based on Gov. Sanford's horrific record and incompetence. What a no brainer.

Count me in, I'm going to run too! LOL

Monty Python, jr   May 14th, 2009 4:08 pm ET

It's a great life being a token minority in the Republicans, so join up today.

Had It   May 14th, 2009 4:01 pm ET

The sexist Southern men will never stand for this – mark my word.

rhondabeyer   May 14th, 2009 3:52 pm ET

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