‘I am in my prime’: Nikki Haley rallies voters in Myrtle Beach as part of presidential campaign

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley made her way to the Grand Strand as part of her campaign for president.

It was her first time campaigning in the Palmetto State since she announced her candidacy last month in Charleston. She has since made stops in New Hampshire and Iowa.

The former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations spoke to a crowd Monday night Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s Grand Strand campus where she touched on a number of topics including the national debt, what’s being taught in schools and the most recent troubles with the Silicon Valley Bank.

“Do what we did in South Carolina and balance a budget you do it at home, there’s no reason Congress shouldn’t balance a budget,” said Haley.

The presidential hopeful also touched on immigration and the border.

“My mom would always say, if they don’t follow the laws to get to this county, they won’t follow the laws when they get into this county.”

Horry County Democratic Party Chair Alester Linton-Pryor responded to Haley’s rally speech stating she believe something should be done about border security.

“I’m a firm believer that there has to be something done regarding border security and I also believe that people who come into this country are coming into this country for a better life.”

Earlier in the day Haley slammed President Joe Biden and called for him to be upfront with Americans about what she called the Silicon Valley bank bailout.

“Joe Biden is pretending this isn’t a bailout. It is. Now depositors at healthy banks are forced to subsidize Silicon Valley Bank’s mismanagement. When the Deposit Insurance Fund runs dry, all bank customers are on the hook. That’s a public bailout. Depositors should be paid by selling off Silicon Valley Bank’s assets, not by the public. Taxpayers should not be responsible,” Haley said in a statement.

Haley’s supporters were excited to hear what she had to say and about the prospect of a female president. They said they hope she addresses issues like Medicaid and border security.

“I think she brings international experience and I think she brings practical experience of actually running the government,” said resident Gary Gross. “To me, I think that’s a great package.”

After the rally, a longtime supporter of Haley as governor showed their support for her as she runs for president.

“She has done a lot of great things for us here in South Carlina,” said Myrtle Beach resident, Mike Robinson. “I voted for her for governor and she’s got my vote here for president.”

Haley was the first major challenger to former President Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination, who nominated her for Ambassador to the United Nations under his administration.

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