Nikki Haley's Backers Express Concern Over Potential Trump-Biden Rematch: Seeking a Better Path Forward

Nikki Haley announced the suspension of her campaign on Wednesday morning. One major question now arises: Who will her diverse group of voters choose to support in the upcoming general election?

When asked about her preferences, Carole Colburn from Arlington, Virginia, expressed uncertainty. She mentioned, "I, at this point, can't answer that question," during an interview with CNN.

Colburn expressed his strong support for Haley and agreed with her belief in the need for a new generational leader. He was disappointed that the former Republican governor chose to end her campaign for the White House.

As an older individual, Colburn emphasized the importance of young people taking on leadership roles in order to bring about necessary changes in the country. He believes that empowering the youth is crucial for creating a better future.

Colburn, along with other Haley supporters, are feeling apprehensive about a potential rematch between former president Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. They are unsure about who they will support in the end.

Haley decided to suspend her presidential campaign after a disappointing outcome on Super Tuesday. She only managed to win one out of the 15 GOP contests. This led to Trump becoming the expected GOP nominee. Despite this, Haley did not endorse Trump and stated that it is now up to the former president to win over her voters.

Looking forward to the upcoming general election, Colburn expressed to CNN her belief that the nation is confronted with a challenging decision between Trump and Biden.

She stated, "I truly think our country deserves better options than what we currently have, and it's uncertain how we can make that happen."

Kelly Schofield, a self-described old school conservative and Fairfax County voter, has been a loyal supporter of Haley for a long time. She started following Haley's career when former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed her for South Carolina governor. Even though Haley's campaign has ended, Schofield still plans to write her in on the ballot this November.

Schofield explained, "I cannot bring myself to vote for her opponent. I have thought about it and made my decision. I truly want a candidate who will defend the US Constitution and who will conduct themselves with civility and dignity. I do not feel confident in giving my vote to the other candidate."

Schofield expressed her disappointment with the potential Trump-Biden matchup in 2024. She mentioned that the age and mental capacity of the vice-presidential candidates will be closely examined.

"I'm really disappointed," Schofield shared with CNN. "Just like everyone else, I have concerns about their age and mental abilities."

Schofield remains hopeful that there is a chance the campaign could be revived, so she is holding onto hope. She also mentions that many are paying close attention to the vice-presidential candidate, as they could potentially become president within the next four years.

In the end, Schofield is confident that supporters of Haley, including herself, will not be swayed by Trump. She believes that the former president will struggle to attract independent voters.

Schofield believes the upcoming election will be closely contested and is uncertain about Donald Trump's chances of winning. He personally does not support Trump and cannot speak for all of Nikki Haley's voters, but he knows many independents who also voted for Haley.

CNN's exit polls conducted in various states such as New Hampshire, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, and California revealed that only 19% of Haley voters would be content with Trump as the Republican nominee.

Schofield mentioned that the lack of character displayed by the candidate has caused independent voters to lose interest. He believes it will be challenging for the candidate to regain the support of Nikki Haley backers and independent voters.

On the other hand, after Haley dropped out of the race, Biden reached out to her supporters. He acknowledged that there may be differences but highlighted potential common ground on important issues such as democracy, rule of law, and the preservation of NATO.

Schofield explained that he will not be choosing Biden as an option. As a conservative, he prefers to support a Republican candidate.

He further elaborated on his reasons, stating that his main concerns with Biden revolve around the issues of the border and the economy. Despite some improvements in the market, Schofield noted that prices at the grocery store remain high and inflation is a major issue.

Alissa Baker, a voter from Loudoun County, Virginia, supported Trump in 2016 but did not vote for the top of the ticket in 2020. She is now considering voting for Biden over the former president this time around.

Although Baker acknowledged the president's outreach to Republican Haley voters, she still feels that the Democratic Party as a whole may not fully align with the views of some voters.

"It sounds great on paper," she said, referring to the big tent concept.

Before launching her campaign, Haley felt like she didn't belong in the GOP. She mentioned to CNN, "MAGA has been dominating the Republican Party more and more. It's starting to feel less and less like where I belong."

"She started a conversation and has encouraged many voices that have been silent for some time," Baker said, referring to Haley.

Baker acknowledged the "conciliatory tone" from Trump's representatives but highlighted his more aggressive tone on Truth Social. She expressed concern over Trump's claim that Haley was "defeated" in Tuesday's elections.

Tamara Wilson, a lifelong Democrat, voted for Haley in the Virginia primary in an attempt to keep Trump off the top of the GOP ticket in the general election.

She believes that they allowed Trump to be himself, which resonated with his supporters.

Now, she is urging loyal Republicans who supported Haley to reciprocate by supporting Biden in the upcoming November election.

She believes that during such crucial times, it is important to put aside party affiliations.

Wilson has been volunteering with Primary Pivot, a nonprofit organization that aims to persuade independent and Democratic voters to think about choosing a Republican option over Trump in states with open primaries.

On Wednesday, the group revealed their new name - Haley Voters for Biden. However, Wilson acknowledges that achieving the goal of this new name will require not only organizers but also the president himself.

"I believe President Biden should strive to earn those votes. Votes should be based on merit, not handed out casually," she expressed, pointing out reproductive rights and foreign policy as key areas where Biden could connect with GOP voters.

Jim Fetgatter, a lifelong Republican voter from Alexandria, Virginia, had supported Trump in the 2020 election. However, he withdrew his support for the former president due to his foreign policy stance, particularly regarding Ukraine.

Fetagatter is not convinced that Trump will listen to Haley's advice or change as a candidate to earn his support. He also stated that he wouldn't vote for Trump again even if Haley becomes his running mate. As for Biden, Fetgatter believes he is not suitable for the presidency and will not support him.

Instead of backing Trump or Biden, Fetgatter mentioned that he might opt to write-in a candidate or vote for a third-party candidate endorsed by the centrist group No Labels. He hopes that Haley would run under the No Labels platform, even though she has already dismissed this possibility.

Fetgatter shared that he feels "depressed" about another Trump-Biden match-up.

Baker mentioned her interest in No Labels, stating that she is closely following the group and hopes to see potential candidates like Mitt Romney or John Kasich, whom she has supported in past elections.

"Isn't it interesting that we might have a four-party race soon?" she mentioned, referring to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent campaign.

She pointed out that Haley resonated with the desire to move away from drama, saying, "I believe many people are seeking a moderate solution."

Brittany Martinez, who has worked in Republican politics for many years, including in communications positions for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the Republican National Committee, believes that Haley brings a fresh and unique style of leadership to the party.

"I have personally witnessed the disorder. It has impacted me," she explained.

Martinez, a California voter who once supported Trump, has decided not to vote for him again. She is not surprised that the establishment of her party has quickly backed the former president. "It's not unexpected, but it is disappointing," she said. Martinez later mentioned, "I know that many people are not as pleased with him as they claim to be."

Haley has declined the offer to become Trump's vice president, but some supporters are optimistic that she could still have a role in a second Trump administration.

"I hope that Donald Trump will consider inviting Nikki to join him if he wins the election - whether as vice president or in another capacity. She excels in international relations and could be a great Secretary of State. I just hope there is a way for her to be involved," expressed Margaret St. Amand, a Republican voter from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Asked about the chances, St. Amand said, “I have hope, that’s all I can say.”

CNN’s Jeff Zeleny contributed to this story.

Editor's P/S:

The suspension of Nikki Haley's presidential campaign has left her diverse group of supporters in a state of uncertainty. Some, like Kelly Schofield, plan to write in her name on the ballot, while others are considering a vote for President Joe Biden. The potential Trump-Biden rematch is a source of apprehension for many, with concerns raised about their age and mental capacity.

Haley's departure has also sparked discussions about the future of the Republican Party. Some voters feel that the party has become increasingly dominated by MAGA supporters, leaving less space for moderate voices like Haley. Others are hopeful that Haley's campaign has encouraged more diverse voices to engage in the political process. As the general election approaches, it remains to be seen how Haley's supporters will ultimately vote and what impact her departure will have on the political landscape.