Washington: Nikki Haley, the Indian-origin former governor of South Carolina and ex-ambassador to the United Nations, has introduced her candidature for the Republican presidential nomination for the 2024 polls.

On Tuesday, in a video posted on her social media handles, Haley – who was born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa to Sikh mother and father – acknowledged her Indian roots, spoke of her political opinions that resonate with the Republican base, attacked President Joe Biden and the “socialist left”, referred to as out Russia, China and Iran, and declared that she was operating for president. Along with her announcement, Haley has grow to be the second Republican chief to announce her bid, difficult her former boss, Donald Trump who declared his candidacy final November.

With a picture of Bamberg, the small city in South Carolina the place she was born and grew up, Haley mentioned, “The railroad tracks divided the city by race. I used to be the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. Not Black. Not White. I used to be totally different. However my mother would all the time say that your job is to not concentrate on the variations however the similarities. And my mother and father jogged my memory and my siblings day by day how blessed we had been to dwell in America.”

With the photographs within the background shifting to the 1619 mission (a critique that factors to the racist underpinning of American nationhood and has riled Republicans), a poster that learn “racism is a pandemic” and of Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (a Democratic socialist Congresswoman), Haley then modified monitor, spoke to her celebration’s base and defended the American mission.

“Some take a look at our previous as proof that America’s founding rules are unhealthy. They are saying the promise of freedom is simply made up. Some assume our concepts should not simply unsuitable however racist and evil. Nothing could possibly be farther from the reality. I’ve seen evil. In China, they commit genocide. In Iran, they homicide their very own folks for difficult the federal government…Even on our worst day, we’re blessed to dwell in America”.

Haley then spoke of her South Carolina roots and hailed the governance and financial file of the state the place she served as governor.

Haley then made her case for the nomination. “Republicans have misplaced the favored vote in seven out of the final eight presidential elections. That has to vary. Joe Biden’s file is abysmal. However that shouldn’t come as a shock. The Washington institution has failed us over and over.”

With the background picture shifting to her greeting residents, Haley mentioned it was now time for brand spanking new technology of management “to rediscover fiscal accountability, safe our border and strengthen our nation, delight and objective”. She mentioned that some folks checked out America and noticed vulnerability, the “socialist left” noticed a possibility to “rewrite historical past”, and China and Russia had been “on the march” and thought US could possibly be “bullied and kicked round”.

“It’s best to know this about me. I don’t put up with bullies. And while you relax, it hurts extra if you’re sporting heels. I’m Nikki Haley and I’m operating for President.”

Democrats instantly attacked Haley, with Democrat Nationwide Committee chairman Jaime Harrison saying that Haley had served in Trump’s administration, embraced the “Maga agenda” (a reference to the Make America Nice Once more slogan that Trump deployed and Democrats use to level to extremism) and couldn’t determine a single coverage distinction with Trump’s agenda.

“Her governorship in South Carolina included signing an excessive abortion ban into regulation with no exceptions for rape or incest, endorsing a plan to finish Medicare as we all know it, pushing for tax cuts that profit the extremely rich and companies, and refusing to broaden Medicaid to offer inexpensive well being care entry for lots of of hundreds of South Carolinians,” mentioned Harrison. He added that Haley’s entry was the start of a “messy” 2024 main race for the Maga base.