Even after stepping off the national stage, Nikki Haley isn’t done shaping the future of her home state.
The former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor has just waded into one of the most closely watched Republican races of 2026—and she’s not playing it safe.
Haley Backs Ralph Norman for Governor
Haley has officially thrown her support behind Congressman Ralph Norman in the Republican primary for South Carolina governor.
Norman, a prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus, was one of the few Republicans who backed Haley when she challenged Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024.
In her endorsement, Haley praised Norman as a no-nonsense conservative who’s never backed down from a fight.
“Ralph Norman is a strong conservative, a principled leader, and a friend who helped me take on the Columbia establishment and never stopped,” Haley said.
She went on to say that Norman would bring real reform to the state capital, promising to champion term limits and prepare South Carolina for the next generation.
Haley ended her message with a throwback to one of her favorite phrases as governor:
“When Ralph Norman is governor, it will once again be a great day in South Carolina.”
Will Trump Get Involved?
One big question now looms over this race: What will Donald Trump do?
Norman hasn’t always seen eye to eye with Trump.
During debates over one of Trump’s massive budget bills, Norman was one of the lawmakers pushing back hardest—though he eventually voted for it.
He later vowed to keep fighting for “fiscal sanity” and a government that doesn’t overspend.
Now, with Haley publicly backing Norman, some are wondering if Trump will swoop in to support a rival candidate—perhaps out of spite.
The tension between Trump and Haley hasn’t fully healed since she ran against him in 2024.
Even though she later endorsed him in the general election, Trump made it clear she wouldn’t be welcome in a second Trump administration.
Norman Faces Crowded Field
Haley’s endorsement gives Norman a big boost, but he’s not the only Republican eyeing the governor’s mansion.
The field already includes Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and State Senator Josh Kimbrell.
And things are expected to get even more interesting very soon—with Congresswoman Nancy Mace preparing to jump in.
Nancy Mace Hints at Her Own Ambitions
Mace has been dropping not-so-subtle hints that she’s ready to launch her own campaign.
She’s been cozying back up to Trump lately, sharing photos with him online and even teasing a run on Fox News.
“I believe I may be forced to run for governor because I can’t watch my beautiful red state of South Carolina go woke,” Mace said in a recent interview.
She also popped up in New Hampshire last week, of all places, attending a political breakfast known for presidential hopefuls.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), she joked that maybe New Hampshire could help pick South Carolina’s next governor too.
Conservatives Line Up Behind Norman
While Mace flirts with a possible run, some conservative heavyweights are already locking arms with Norman.
Former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint have both endorsed him.
It’s clear that despite the growing roster of candidates, Norman is quickly becoming the favorite among some of the Republican base—especially the more hardline conservatives.
All Eyes on Trump’s Next Move
But in South Carolina, as in every GOP race across the country, one thing still matters more than any endorsement: Trump’s decision.
Whoever earns—or avoids—his backing could end up shaping the entire future of this race.
Will the former president strike back at Haley by backing someone else? Or will he sit this one out and let the Republican base decide?
Either way, the South Carolina governor’s race just became one of the most talked-about battles of 2026.
