Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley received her first two endorsements from senators on Friday, building momentum heading into Super Tuesday as she chases former President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) each supported the former South Carolina governor in separate statements.
“I am proud to support Governor Nikki Haley,” Murkowski said in a statement released by Haley's campaign. “America needs someone with the right values, energy, and judgment as our next president, and there is no better person to lead this campaign than her. Nikki will be a strong leader and will serve all Americans. As a president for the people, he will uphold the ideals of the Republican Party.”
Collins told the Bangor Daily News that Haley “has the energy, intelligence and temperament necessary to lead our country during these very turbulent times.” Haley's campaign issued a statement of support to NBC News.
Voters in Alaska, Maine and more than a dozen other states will cast their votes on Super Tuesday, when 865 Republican delegates will be on the ballot. Haley has yet to win a primary or caucus.
On Friday, Haley thanked Murkowski in a news release announcing her first Senate endorsement, saying the senator “is the best representative of Alaska.”
“As president, I will fight to make Alaskans and all Americans proud by restoring fiscal health, energy dominance, and limited government,” Haley said.
Murkowski and Collins have long been critical of Trump, and both voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
Ms. Haley has received only one endorsement in the House, from Rep. Ralph Norman (RS.C.). He announced his support over a year ago.
Trump, on the other hand, has the support of about 80 House Republicans and more than half of Republican senators.