A major conservative group that had been backing Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign, Americans for Prosperity Action, said it would no longer fund her bid after she lost the South Carolina primary.
The group opposes Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, believing he would hurt down-ballot races.
“She has made it clear that she will continue to fight and we wholeheartedly support her in this effort,” Americans for Prosperity CEO Emily Seidel wrote.
“But given the challenges in the primary states ahead, we don’t believe any outside group can make a material difference to widen her path to victory,” she wrote.
“If Donald Trump is at the top of the Republican ticket, the risk of one-party rule by a Democratic Party captured by the Progressive Left is severe and would do irreparable damage to the country,” Seidel wrote.
“The last three election cycles have painted a very clear picture of what we can expect from voters who consistently rejected Donald Trump and his impact on the Republican party brand,” she wrote.
“And we should expect this to increase further as the criminal trials progress,” Seidel said.
While Haley’s top adviser said they would continue supporting her campaign, Trump reacted angrily on social media to the news of AFP Action withdrawing funding.
Haley indicated she plans to remain in the race through Super Tuesday to give voters more options, and some donors want her to stay in to represent the Reagan wing of the party as potential legal issues circling Trump could open up the nomination.
“AMERICAN’S FOR NO PROSPERITY HAVE JUST STATED THAT HALEY HAS NO CHANCE TO WIN, AND THEY WILL STOP FUNDING HER CAMPAIGN, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!” Trump wrote.
“In the next 10 days, another 21 states and territories will speak,” Haley said.
“They have the right to a real choice, not a Soviet-style election with only one candidate. And I have a duty to give them that choice,” she said.
“Those of us from the Reagan wing of the party want her to stay in because we want to remind people we are still here,” Haley donor Eric Levine said. “We’re not winning without the Reagan wing of the party, and Nikki Haley represents that wing.”
“If something happens, she’s the one who can pick up the pieces,” Levine said. “It makes sense for her … to stay in, continue to gather delegates. She has the money to do it.”
