Nikki Haley expected to endorse Loeffler in Senate race

Nikki Haley, former GOP South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, is expected to endorse Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) in her special election battle against GOP Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) on Monday, a source familiar with the announcement confirmed to The Hill.

Haley teased the anticipated announcement in a video posted to Twitter on Wednesday.

“Hi Georgia friends, it’s Nikki Haley and I am coming to Atlanta on Monday with a super exciting announcement. I hope you’ll stay tuned — I look forward to seeing you soon. Take care,” she said in the video.

Atlanta, we are coming to you with a fun announcement on Monday. Look forward to seeing you! Details coming soon! pic.twitter.com/5aWKab0wvZ

— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 4, 2020

The Senate battle in Georgia has become increasingly heated, fueling intraparty attacks, with both camps and their allies attempting to tout their preferred candidate’s commitment to carrying out President Trump’s agenda and portraying their opponent as being too immersed with “Washington insiders.”

Loeffler, a wealthy financial executive, was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to fill the seat of Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) after he stepped down at the end of last year due to a series of health issues.

Trump had lobbied Kemp to appoint Collins — who played a leading role in defending the president during the impeachment proceedings as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee — to the seat in November, but the Georgia governor ultimately opted to appoint Loeffler. Trump has since praised Loeffler publicly following her votes to acquit him on House-passed impeachment articles in February.

Sources close to the president told The Hill it’s unlikely Trump will get involved in the race.

Haley’s backing provides Loeffler with another high-profile supporter ahead of the May 19 special election. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and conservative Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) have also announced their support for Loeffler.

Loeffler has also been making an effort to prove her conservative credentials by meeting with key outside groups and hiring staffers from conservative offices — including several who worked with Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), one of Trump’s closest confidants in the House — as she faces accusations of being too moderate from the Collins camp.

Numerous state legislators, American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp, Fox News host Sean Hannity and conservative radio host Mark Levin have announced their support for Collins.