Before Nikki Haley was Donald Trump’s ambassador to the U.N., she was a two-term Republican governor of South Carolina who had a knack for winning major projects over Georgia.
On stage at The Gathering, host Erick Erickson ticked through some of the economic development coups that Haley scored – including the successful recruitment of a Volvo plant despite an all-out push by Georgia for the multibillion-dollar complex.
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
“We were whipping y’all’s butt!” the White House hopeful said with a smile.
She described an overhaul of the state’s economic development department with a focus on high-skilled manufacturing jobs. She added an applause line for the conservative crowd.
“I didn’t want any company coming to South Carolina if they were unionized,” she said. “We never wanted a unionized company.”
- Full speech story: Presidential candidate Haley offers uncomfortable ‘truths’ for Republicans
- Live updates: Latest from The Gathering
About the Author