South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will be the US ambassador to the United Nations, Donald Trump’s transition team announced. Haley is a 44-year-old daughter of Indian immigrants. She has served six years as South Carolina’s governor. Trump surprises some with his selection, since he and Gov. Haley haven’t always seen eye-to-eye.
The two exchanged heated criticism during Trump’s campaign, with Trump tweeting in March that the “people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!” (They elected her twice.) Haley, for her part, endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz — Trump’s chief rival for the GOP nomination — and she also showed support for Marco Rubio. Trump was essentially Haley’s third choice, but she vowed in October to vote for him and, like many Republicans, marveled at his victory. Haley was born in South Carolina and attended Clemson University there.
