An official with Mr. Trump’s marketing campaign in South Carolina, who spoke on the situation of anonymity, denied arm-twisting was concerned, saying legislators had been merely inspired to journey a political wave for Mr. Trump.
On Wednesday evening, as Ms. Haley spoke to a boisterous crowd in North Charleston, the Trump marketing campaign blasted out its latest record of endorsements in South Carolina, 158 names in all, together with each senators, 5 out of six Republican House members, the governor, lieutenant governor, legal professional common, treasurer and plenty of state lawmakers.
For some, placing their identify on the record was seemingly pure politics, not animus towards Ms. Haley. Josh Whitley, a county commissioner within the Charleston suburbs and an ally of Ms. Mace, stated the congresswoman’s endorsement of Mr. Trump was pragmatic. Mr. Trump goes to be the eventual nominee, he stated. The former speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, is scouring her district, on the lookout for a conservative to problem her within the primaries as payback for her function in deposing him. She couldn’t afford to have Mr. Trump working towards her as nicely.
Ms. Mace wouldn’t affirm that purpose. She merely stated, “South Carolina likes Nikki Haley, but they love Donald Trump.”
Other missed or tardy endorsements from her former allies stand out.
Mark H. Smith, a Berkeley County state consultant and Charleston funeral residence govt, served on Ms. Haley’s “grass roots steering committee” for her re-election bid in 2014. He went to highschool and the junior promenade with Ms. Haley. He has spoken fondly of their youth collectively, driving bikes across the small city the place she grew up, Bamberg, S.C.
He is among the 158 names on Mr. Trump’s endorsement record.
Jazmine Ulloa contributed reporting. Kitty Bennett and Susan C. Beachy contributed analysis.