HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley made a campaign stop in central Virginia on Thursday.
The former South Carolina Governor and Ambassador to the United Nations held a rally at the Westin Richmond Hotel in western Henrico County ahead of Super Tuesday, when Virginians and millions of others across the nation will cast their ballots in this year’s presidential primaries.
Throughout her speech, Haley went after GOP frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, saying he brings chaos while blaming him for torpedoing a recent border bill that failed to pass Congress.
“Congress should have gotten in a room and strengthened the bill and come out and done something, but Donald Trump told them not to do anything until after the general election because it would hurt him,” Haley told the crowd. “We can’t wait one more day.”
Haley also criticized Trump for his reluctance to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, something Henrico Resident Mark Crean says is important to him.
“I think she is clear-headed about the dangers of Russian President Putin and why we need to acknowledge that and stand up to it — and how our interactions there affect possible dealings with China and Taiwan,” Crean told 8News.
Crean, who says he voted for Trump in 2020, also echoed Haley’s concerns about Trump being too polarizing.
“I don’t know why many Republicans don’t seem to understand this, but I don’t think President Trump can win in a general election,” Crean said.
However, if Haley does want a shot at beating President Joe Biden in November, she’ll need to win several states, including Virginia, on Super Tuesday, according to VCU Political Science Professor Alex Keena.
“If you’re Nikki Haley, you are hoping you are going to get the suburban voters to turn out en masse to overcome Trump’s support in the rural parts of the state,” Keena told 8News.
Trump will also be in central Virginia ahead of Super Tuesday, he is holding a rally at the Greater Richmond Convention Center this Saturday.
