Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley
Nikki Haley
116th Governor of South Carolina
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 12, 2011
Lieutenant Ken Ard
Preceded by Mark Sanford
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 87th district
In office
January 3, 2005 – November 8, 2010
Preceded by Larry Koon
Succeeded by Todd Atwater
Personal details
Born January 20, 1972 (1972-01-20) (age 39)
Bamberg, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Michael Haley
Children 2
Residence Governor's Mansion
Alma mater Clemson University
Profession Accountant
Religion Methodism[1][2]
Website Official website

Nimrata Nikki Randhawa Haley (born January 20, 1972) is the 116th and current Governor of South Carolina. A member of the Republican Party, Haley represented Lexington County in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2005 to 2010.[3]

In the 2010 South Carolina gubernatorial election, Haley was endorsed for the Republican nomination by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford, and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[4][5][6] On June 8, 2010, she finished first in the four-way Republican primary election with 49% of the vote, but fell short of the 50% required to avoid a runoff election. Haley won the runoff on June 22 with 65%,[7] and proceeded to win the general election by a 51%-47% margin.

Haley is the first woman to serve as Governor of South Carolina, and the second Indian-American governor in the country, after Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. At the age of 39, Haley is the youngest current governor in the U.S., a distinction formerly held by Jindal.[8][9]

Contents

Early life, education and career

Haley was born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa[10] in Bamberg, South Carolina on January 20, 1972. Her parents, Dr. Ajit and Raj Randhawa, are Sikh immigrants from Amritsar, Punjab, India. She has two brothers, Mitti and Charan, and a sister, Simran.[11] Haley is a graduate of Orangeburg Preparatory Schools, and later graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in accounting [12] and joined the FCR Corporation (a waste management and recycling company),[13][14] before joining her mother's business, Exotica International, an upscale clothing firm, in 1994.[15] The family business grew to a multi-million dollar company.[15]

Haley was named to the Board of Directors of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce in 1998.[16] She was named to the Board of Directors of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce in 2003. Haley became treasurer of the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2003 and president in 2004.[16] She chaired the Lexington Gala to raise funds for the local hospital.[15] She also serves on the Lexington Medical Foundation, Lexington County Sheriff’s Foundation, West Metro Republican Women, President of the South Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Chairman for 2006 Friends of Scouting Leadership Division campaign and is a member of the Rotary Club in Lexington.[17]

State legislature

Elections

In 2004, she ran for the South Carolina House of Representatives in the Republican primary against incumbent representative Larry Koon. Koon, who had served since 1975, was the longest-serving member of the House. In the primary election, Haley won 40% of the vote (2,247 votes) to Koon's 42% (2,354 votes), thus forcing a runoff.[18] Her platform was anti-tax and fiscally conservative with an emphasis on education.[19] In the runoff, Haley won with 54.7% (2,928 votes) of the total. She then ran unopposed for the House seat as there was no Democratic opponent. She became the first Indian-American to hold office in South Carolina.[20][21]

She was reelected in 2006 and 2008.

Tenure

Haley served as secretary of the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs committees. She also was elected chairman of the freshman caucus in 2005 and elected as majority whip in the South Carolina General Assembly.[17] She was the only freshman legislator named to a whip spot.[22]

Awards

  • 2005 "Friend of the Taxpayer" - South Carolina Association of Taxpayers
  • 2006
    • "Palmetto Leadership Award" - South Carolina Policy Council (a limited-government advocacy group)
    • "Strom Thurmond Excellence in Public Service and Government Award" - South Carolina federation of Republican Women
  • 2009 "Friend of the Taxpayer" - South Carolina Association of Taxpayers
  • 2010 "Taxpayer Hero" - South Carolina Club for Growth
  • 2011 "India Abroad Person of the Year 2010" - India Abroad

Voting Record

Abortion Issues

Haley is pro-life and consistently votes for bills protecting unborn fetuses. [23] She has also voted on bills that protect expecting mother's rights for extreme circumstances in which it might be necessary to get an abortion to protect the expecting mother's life. Several bills have been passed but other bills have been tabled, or killed. Some bills that Haley has voted on and that have gotten passed are the Penalties for Harming an Unborn Child/Fetus, Pre-Abortion Ultrasound, and the 24 Hour Waiting Period for Abortions. The Penalties for Harming an Unborn Child/Fetus says that any act of violence against the unborn fetus is like a criminal act against the mother. The Pre-abortion Ultrasound requires the woman considering an abortion to look at an ultrasound before making a decision in an attempt to prevent unnecessary abortion. In addition, the 24 Hour Waiting Period for Abortions requires the woman to wait one day from the time of the ultrasound before making a decision. Nikki Haley voted yes for all of these bills and all of them were passed at different times. However, some bills that were tabled or rejected include the Inclusion of Unborn Child/Fetus in Definition for Civil Suits Amendment, Prohibiting Employment Termination Due to Abortion Waiting Period, and Exempting Cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period. These bills focus more on the rights of the mother as well as the unborn fetus. The Exempting cases of Rape from Abortion Waiting Period would allow specific cases of women to not have to wait the mandatory 24 hours before having an abortion. [24]

Taxation Issues

One of Haley's goals is to lower taxes through various bills that have been proposed. Just as with the abortion issue bills, some of these have been passed and others tabled or rejected. Haley has constantly voted against a bill that would override the governor's veto (when Mark Sanford was still in office) to place a surtax on every cigarette produced. The funds earned would be appropriated to smoking prevention programs and cancer research related to smoking.[25] Haley actively fights wasteful spending in an attempt to lower taxes and work for the taxpayer. She voted yes for a bill that raised sales tax to six percent. The bill exempted sales tax on unprepared food such as canned goods etc. The same bill also exempts property tax on 'owner-occupied residential property' except for the taxes due from what is still owed on the property. [26]

Immigration Issues

Nikki Haley, being the daughter of legal immigrants, believes the immigration laws should be enforced. She voted in favor of the law that aims to reform South Carolina's immigration policy. It requires employers to be able to prove that any newly hired employees are legal residents of the United States. The law has been adopted but is coming under attack. The United States sued South Carolina for its immigration law which also requires people to carry documentation proving that they are legally in the United States. The Federal Government says that the immigration law undermines their power and interferes with foreign relations. Rob Godfrey, a spokesman for Nikki Haley, said, "If the feds were doing their job, we wouldn't have had to address illegal immigration reform at the state level. But, until they do, we're going to keep fighting in South Carolina to be able to enforce our laws."[27]

Education Policies

Nikki Haley has a conservative stance on education and how it should be done more effectively for the money that is being put into it (in South Carolina). One of her goals as governor is to stop the wasting of money and to redirect it to students and teachers. She believes that no community should be ignored and that every student should be offered the same opportunity for a quality education. She wants to see South Carolina move to the top of the charts in the United States, but to do that, the education in South Carolina needs reform. She has proposed a plan that would determine a teacher's salary not only based on the number and type of degree they have, but on performance as a teacher. Their performance would be determined by evaluations and reports from people directly involved with the teacher, like the principal, students and parents. [28] On her gubernatorial campaign, Haley said that she would be in favor of school choice and also wanted to see more charter schools develop. She wants charter schools to effectively be run by teachers and parents and to also shrink the South Carolina Department of Education. She believes that much of the wasteful spending happens because the money sits too long in the department before ever getting to students and teachers. [29]

"Little girl" Incident

Following a trip to Europe to meet with potential companies that might invest in South Carolina and create jobs, Haley was criticized for the amount of taxpayer dollars spent on the trip. Over $127,000 was spent over the duration of the weeklong trip. She was criticized for spending the money on what seemed to some as unnecessary luxuries like five star hotels. A female reporter from The Post and Courier of Charleston asked Haley about an article that had criticized her trip and spending. On "The Laura Ingraham Show" Haley said, "God bless that little girl at The Post and Courier. I mean her job is to try and create conflict. My job is to create jobs. In the end I'm going to have jobs to show for it." Haley was then attacked by many for, what she later admitted were, her poor choice of words. [30]

2010 campaign for Governor

Main article: South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010
County-by-county results

On May 14, 2009, Haley announced that she would be running for the Republican nomination for Governor of South Carolina in 2010.[4] On November 11, 2009, she was endorsed by Jenny Sanford, the incumbent first lady of South Carolina, as well as former Massachusetts governor and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.[5][6][31] However, she remained in last place among primary candidates in the polls and also in fundraising until former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin endorsed her.[citation needed] The Republican gubernatorial primary took place on June 8, 2010, and Haley captured 49% of the vote, necessitating a runoff election on June 22.[32] Haley won handily in the runoff vote.[33]

In October 2010 South Carolina pollster Crantford & Associates reported Haley barely edging Democratic challenger Vincent Sheheen in general election polling 45% to 41%.[34]

Haley is also part of the Tea Party movement.[35][36]

Haley was elected governor on November 2, 2010 over the Democratic candidate, Vincent Sheheen 51% to 47%.[37]

Personal life

Haley was born and raised as a Sikh. On September 6, 1996 she married Michael Haley in both a Methodist church ceremony and a Sikh gurdwara.[38] Haley identifies herself today as a Christian,[39] but attends both Sikh and Methodist services out of respect for her parents' culture.[35][40] She sits on the board for Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church.[41]

Michael is a federal employee with the United States Department of the Army and an officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard.[42] Nikki and Michael have two children, Rena (12 yrs old) and Nalin (9 yrs old).[43][44] Haley's brother Mitti is an active duty officer who has served in the U.S. Army for the past 20 years.[45]

References

  1. ^ "Meet Nikki Haley". Nikkihaley.com. http://www.nikkihaley.com/about-nikki. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
  2. ^ Drake, Bruce. "Nikki Haley Under Fire, Stresses Christian Faith Over Sikh Heritage". Politicsdaily.com. http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/06/05/nikki-haley-under-fire-stresses-christian-faith-over-sikh-herit/. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  3. ^ Belles of the South Audrey/Asian Women's Magazine - April/May 06'
  4. ^ a b Rep. Haley announces bid to become state's first female governor HeraldOnline.com (S.C) May 14, 2009
  5. ^ a b Kraushaar, Josh (2010-03-16). "Romney backs Haley in S.C.". Politico. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34504.html. 
  6. ^ a b Shaking it up in South Carolina with Nikki Haley Sarah Palin, Facebook - May 14, 2010
  7. ^ http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gfZ5MBVqCWljWzDTEedwMory1DjQD9GGP3V80[dead link]
  8. ^ "Nikki Haley First Indian-American Gov. of South Carolina | United States". Epoch Times. 2010-11-03. http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/45304/. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  9. ^ Fausset, Richard (November 2, 2010). "Nikki Haley bests Vincent Sheheen for South Carolina governor". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-haley-sheheen-final,0,5620397.story. 
  10. ^ Dewan, Shaila; Brown, Robbie (June 13, 2010), "All Her Life, Nikki Haley Was the Different One", The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/us/politics/14haley.html, retrieved January 13, 2011 
  11. ^ Raj Randhawa Takes Her Family Business from Strength to Strength - NRI Achievers
  12. ^ Daya Gamage – US National Correspondent Asian Tribune (2010-06-12). "Nikki Haley: Daughter of Indian Sikh immigrants destine to be South Carolina Governor". Asian Tribune. http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/06/12/nikki-haley-daughter-indian-sikh-immigrants-destine-be-south-carolina-governor. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  13. ^ MANTA, http://www.manta.com/c/mmn2jpk/fcr-inc
  14. ^ Hoovers.com, http://www.hoovers.com/companyindex/North_Carolina/Charlotte/Waste_Management_and_Remediation_Services-1.html
  15. ^ a b c Nikki Haley in runoff for South Carolina Assembly Republican Primaries Indian American Center for Political Awareness - 2004
  16. ^ a b Representative Nikki Randhawa Haley - South Carolina General Assembly[dead link]
  17. ^ a b Representative Nikki Randhawa Haley Bio - Official Site
  18. ^ NRI Nikki Randhawa-Haley eyes South Carolina assembly NRIInternet
  19. ^ Nikki Randhawa wins in S Carolina NRI Internet - November 3, 2004
  20. ^ Washington June 10, 2004: Nikki Randhawa, NRI, Sikh Busimess woman won the run-off election to the South Carolina State Assembly NRI Internet - June 10, 2004
  21. ^ Nikki Randhawa set to get US House berth The Tribune (India), June 25, 2004 (Note that the Tribune headline is in error. In 2004, Haley was set to win election to the state legislature, not to Congress.)
  22. ^ Sikh American woman is Republican whip The Tribune, Chandigarh - January 18, 2006
  23. ^ "Abortion Issues Voting Record". http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/47879/nikki-haley/2/abortion-issues. Retrieved 11/04/11. 
  24. ^ "ProjectVoteSmart". Legislation: Nikki Haley. One Common Ground, Philipsburg, MT 59858. http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/47879/. Retrieved 11/3/11. 
  25. ^ "Budget Spending and Taxes". Cigarette Tax. http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/47879/nikki-haley/10/budget-spending-and-taxes. Retrieved 11/04/11. 
  26. ^ "Project Vote Smart". Sales and Property Taxes. http://www.votesmart.org/bill/953/2770/47879/sales-and-property-taxes. Retrieved 11/10/11. 
  27. ^ "Immigration Law". U.S. Sues South Carolina. http://www.wyff4.com/news/29643630/detail.html. Retrieved 11/10/11. 
  28. ^ "Nikki Haley Governor". South Carolina Education. http://www.nikkihaley.com/education. Retrieved 11/10/11. 
  29. ^ "Nikki Haley Unveils Education Plan". http://www.wyff4.com/news/24691708/detail.html. Retrieved 11/10/11. 
  30. ^ "Little Girl Incident". http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/10/south-carolina-governor-calls-reporter-little-girl-over-story/. Retrieved 11/10/11. 
  31. ^ Barr, Andy (2009-11-11). "Jenny Sanford endorses in gov race". Politico. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29401.html. 
  32. ^ "Sordid S.C. governor's race heads to runoff". MSNBC.com. Associated Press. June 9, 2010. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37577412/ns/politics-decision_2010/. 
  33. ^ "AP: Republicans tap Haley for gov, make history". The State. June 22, 2010. http://www.thestate.com/2010/06/22/1345251/ap-republicans-tap-haley-for-gov.html. 
  34. ^ "Election 2010: South Carolina Governor - Crantford & Associates". http://www.indigojournal.com. http://www.indigojournal.com/2010/10/01/new-sc-polling-haley-45-sheheen-41/. Retrieved 2010-10-02. 
  35. ^ a b Campo, Arian (2010-07-03). "Woman On the Verge". Newsweek.com. http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/03/woman-on-the-verge.html. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  36. ^ "Tea partiers ascend in many states". Salon.com. http://www.salon.com/news/tea_parties/?story=/news/feature/2010/07/03/us_tea_party_next_up. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  37. ^ "Nikki Haley to be state’s first female governor". The Pickens Sentinel. http://www.pickenssentinel.com/view/full_story/10145728/article-Nikki-Haley-to-be-state%E2%80%99s-first-female-governor-?instance=home_news_lead. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  38. ^ Dewan, Shaila; Brown, Robbie (June 13, 2010). "In South Carolina Governor's Race, Nikki Haley Focuses on Similarities". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/us/politics/14haley.html?pagewanted=1&exprod=myyahoo. 
  39. ^ Nikki Haley for South Carolina Governor. Truth in Facts - Question: Is Nikki a Christian? . Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  40. ^ O'Connor, John. "S.C. state Sen. Knotts uses racial slur against Haley - Politics AP". MiamiHerald.com. http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/06/04/1663047/sc-state-sen-knotts-uses-racial.html. Retrieved 2010-06-08. [dead link]
  41. ^ "Meet Nikki Haley". Nikkihaley.com. http://www.nikkihaley.com/about-nikki. Retrieved 2010-07-31. 
  42. ^ "Haley plans to work with legislators - 2010 Race for the Governor". TheState.com. 2010-06-18. http://www.thestate.com/2010/06/18/1337860/plans-to-work-with-legislators.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31. 
  43. ^ "Home". Governor.sc.gov. http://www.governor.sc.gov/about/Pages/default.aspx. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  44. ^ "Republicans tap Haley for gov, make history". Thestate.com. 2010-06-22. http://www.thestate.com/2010/06/22/1345251/ap-republicans-tap-haley-for-gov.html. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  45. ^ Rucker, Philip. "44 - Nikki Haley: 10 things you didn't know about the S.C. Republican". Voices.washingtonpost.com. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/06/nikki-haley-10-things-you-didn.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31. 

External links

South Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by
Larry Koon		 Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 87th district
2005–2010		 Succeeded by
Todd Atwater
Party political offices
Preceded by
Mark Sanford		 Republican nominee for Governor of South Carolina
2010		 Most recent
Political offices
Preceded by
Mark Sanford		 Governor of South Carolina
2011–present		 Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Joe Biden
as Vice President		 Order of Precedence of the United States
Within South Carolina		 Succeeded by
Mayor of city
in which event is held
Succeeded by
Otherwise John Boehner
as Speaker of the House of Representatives
Preceded by
Martin O'Malley
as Governor of Maryland		 Order of Precedence of the United States
Outside South Carolina		 Succeeded by
John Lynch
as Governor of New Hampshire
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