Nikki Haley cogratulated Donald Trmup and urged him to grow the conservative movement but stopped short of endorsing the former president during her concession speech on Wednesday morning.
"I congratulate [Trump] and wish him well," Haley said before invoking the words of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and saying she would not "follow the crowd."
Haley's decision to leave the presidential race follows a decisive loss on Super Tuesday that dealt a death blow to her already struggling campaign. Before speaking about Trump, however, Haley first mentioned that her mother - a first generation immigrant - was able to vote for her daughter for president of the United States.
"Only in America," Haley said.
The former South Carolina governor lost to former President Donald Trump in 14 of the 15 nominating contests Tuesday. Her sole victory on the crucial primary day was in Vermont - a small and deeply Democratic state. While she was previously able rack up delegates from other states, Haley's only other primary victory came from deep blue Washington, D.C.
Haley served as Ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump presidency but in the later months of her campaign, she became increasingly critical of the former president. In spite of this, however, she has said that if eleted president she would pardon Trump for any criminal convictions.
Haley added that it is "now up to Donald Trump" to earn the votes of conservatives who still retain doubts about the former president's approach to politics and governing.
The former UN Ambassador also urged the United States to "stand by" Taiwan, Israel and Ukraine. Her support of Ukraine separates Haley from many prominent members of her party who have increasingly pulled back from supporting the country in its war with Russia.
"If we retreat there will be more war not less," Haley said.
This is a developing story.
