Nikki Haley debuts WA team ahead of 2024 GOP presidential primary

January 02, 2024 / 5:01 pm

caption: Former U.N. Ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks during an event sponsored by Turning Point USA at Clemson University on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, in Clemson, S.C.

About two and half months before Washington's presidential primary, GOP candidate Nikki Haley announced her team Tuesday to carry her campaign forward at the state level.

“The world is on fire, and Nikki Haley is the leader we need to make America strong and proud," said Saul Gamoran, Washington state chair for the Haley campaign. "Washingtonians want a president who has the vision and grit to jump into the fight on Day One. That person is Nikki Haley.”

"We’ve got a country to save, and a deep bench in the Evergreen State to help us do it," Haley said in a statement announcing her Washington campaign leadership team. "From inflation to the border crisis to the growing threat from China, Washingtonians know we need solutions and results. No one understands that better than the members of this leadership team, and I’m incredibly grateful to each of them for bringing their expertise to our campaign.”

Haley's campaign not only announced its local team, it also hyped a slate of endorsements from elected leaders and GOP figures from across Washington, such as state Rep. J.T. Wilcox, former House minority leader; and Rep. Drew Stokesbary, the current House minority leader. The campaign's King County chair is GOP organizer Cynthia Cole.

While former president Donald Trump has been considered the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in 2024, the Republican primaries will ultimately decide the candidate. Haley's campaign has gained momentum in recent weeks (especially among big donors).

Washington state's primary is scheduled for March 12.

Nikki Haley’s Washington leadership team

Chair: Saul Gamoran, President, Gamoran Legal Consulting; Co-Chair: Paul Hess, King County Committeeman; Co-Chair: Diane Tebelius, Former Chair, Washington State Republican Party; Co-Chair: Barry Kaplan, Retired Partner, Wilson Sonsini; Co-Chair: Manette Merrill, Political Organizer.

Endorsements:

Senator Judy Warnick, Republican Caucus Chair

Senator Keith Wagoner, Republican Whip

Senator Drew MacEwen, Environment, Energy & Tech Ranking Member

Senator Ann Rivers, Health & Long Term Care Ranking Member

Representative Drew Stokesbary, Minority Leader

Representative Mike Steele, Deputy Minority Leader

Representative Paul Harris, Minority Caucus Chair

Representative Jacquelin Maycumber, Minority Floor Leader

Representative Eric Robertson, Minority Caucus Vice-Chair

Representative April Connors, Assistant Minority Whip

Representative Stephanie Barnard, House Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Assistant Ranking Minority Member

Representative Keith Goehner, Local Government Ranking Minority Member

Representative J.T. Wilcox, Former Minority Leader

Brian Moran, Former US Attorney, Western District of Washington

County Commissioner Mary Kuney, Spokane County

County Commissioner Kyle Curtis, Yakima County

La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes

Amy Harris, Women for Nikki

Congressional District Chairs:

CD 1: Don Skillman

CD 2: Eric Makus

CD 3: John Jay

CD 4: Kyle Curtis

CD 5: Diana Wilhite

CD 6: Jeffrey Helsdon

CD 7: Lisa Bailey

CD 8: Joe Pratt

CD 9: Paul Graves

CD 10: Elizabeth Catterson

County Chairs: Clark: Ruth Ann Hughes; Douglas: Marl Kane; King: Cynthia Cole; Kitsap: Elizabeth Doll; Pierce: Linda Siegel; Skagit: Ramon Hayes; Thurston: Elizabeth Catterson; Whatcom: Kim Schilperoort.