Nikki Haley Outraised RNC in February: Filings

Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley speaks at her rally in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 4, 2024. (Emil Lippe/Getty Images)

Even with her 2024 presidential campaign on its last legs, Nikki Haley drew millions from loyal Republican donors.

On March 20, political committees linked to the former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. issued reports covering the final days of Ms. Haley’s run for the GOP’s 2024 presidential nomination. Ms. Haley dropped out of the race on March 6 and did not endorse former President Donald Trump, the GOP frontrunner.

Ms. Haley’s financial network was composed of five main bodies: her principal campaign committee, Nikki Haley for President Inc.; a hybrid political action committee, SFA Fund Inc.; a nonqualified joint fundraising committee, Team Stand for America; a qualified unauthorized PAC Stand for America PAC; and a tax-exempt, nonprofit 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, Stand For America Inc.

Both Nikki Haley for President and SFA Fund issued disclosures to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) reflecting their financial activities in February. The remaining groups report on a quarterly basis and will release their final results in April.

According to the FEC filings, Nikki Haley for President and SFA Fund ended February with about $13 million on hand. The two committees collectively raised about $16.1 million in total receipts while making $18 million in total disbursements.

Most of the money, about $11.5 million, was held by Nikki Haley for President. That is more than the about $11.3 million the Republican National Committee had on hand at the end of February.

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Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper watches during warm-ups before an NFL game against the New England Patriots in Charlotte, N.C., on Nov. 7, 2021. (Jacob Kupferman/AP Photo)

Million-Dollar Donors

In spite of a run of bad results for the candidate, two key donors—David Tepper and his wife Nicole Tepper—both sent the SFA Fund more than $1 million in February.

Mr. Tepper, the president and founder of Appaloosa Management and the owner of the National Football League’s Carolina Panthers, is worth an estimated $20.6 billion, according to Forbes.

According to FEC records, both David Tepper and Nicole Tepper sent the PAC $1.1 million on Feb. 6. That followed up gifts in January and brought their collective 2024 contribution to the SFA Fund up to $2.7 million.

The Epoch Times previously reported that the Teppers gave $1.5 million to the SFA Fund in 2023.

James Davis, the owner and chairman of shoe and sporting goods company New Balance, sent the SFA Fund a total of $1 million in February, according to FEC records.

Mr. Davis, who supported President Trump in 2016, sent the PAC $500,000 in January. The Epoch Times previously reported Mr. Davis sent $1.5 million to the SFA Fund in 2023 as well.

According to Forbes, Mr. Davis is worth an estimated $5.9 billion.

Additionally, the SFA Fund took in significant transfers from Stand for America Inc. and Team Stand for America. The two groups associated with Ms. Haley’s campaign sent the hybrid PAC about $1.4 million in February.

Representatives of the Teppers and Mr. Davis did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times.

Former President Donald Trump arrives at 40 Wall Street after his court hearing to determine the date of his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to extramarital affairs, in New York City on March 25, 2024. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden, Trump Will Spar for Haley Voters, Donors

It remains to be seen whether wealthy and so-called small-dollar donors who sent money to Ms. Haley’s various funds will continue to throw their monetary resources behind one of the remaining candidates.

President Trump, when he was still sparring with Ms. Haley in the Republican primaries, said anyone who donated to Ms. Haley would be “permanently barred from the MAGA camp.”

After Ms. Haley’s departure, President Trump issued a more welcoming message. On social media, he said he would “like to invite all of the Haley supporters to join the greatest movement in the history of our Nation.”

President Joe Biden is also moving to court the Haley crowd. However, he may have more success than his Republican rival.

News analysis published by The Epoch Times demonstrated that, in general, Haley voters don’t like President Biden, but they like President Trump even less.

As for the donors, many of them have demonstrated their animus toward President Trump in previous elections. However, some of them eventually came around to support the Republican candidate.