Nikki Haley wants to be the GOP’s Trump alternative. Ron DeSantis and others are trying to stop her

By THOMAS BEAUMONT and STEVE PEOPLES
Associated Press

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is on the rise with party donors and voters, thanks in part to strong debate performances and the 2024 campaign’s increased focus on foreign policy. Her climb has come partly at the expense of rival Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor. But donors and voters who seeking an alternative to Donald Trump haven’t fully coalesced around Haley. At a recent closed-door meeting of roughly 60 millionaires and billionaires, influential financier Paul Singer praised Haley, but stopped short of endorsing her. Miami hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin also hasn’t committed to the former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor despite calling her a “rock star.” But Haley is gaining interest heading into next week’s GOP debate.