The support for Haley indicates a growing desire among donors to back a candidate who can beat Biden in 2024, according to one of Haley’s top supporters. Haley seems to be making an appeal to more moderate Republicans while drawing a contrast with Trump. Since she announced her candidacy in February, Haley became the first declared 2024 candidate to visit the southern border to tout her immigration plan.
“If you take a look at the makeup of the donors at this stage in the game, you have people who are Republican donors that are often involved in presidential elections who see her as a viable candidate that won’t just win in the primary but also in the general election,” said Ozzie Palomo, a co-founder of lobbying firm Chartwell Strategy Group and a Haley fundraiser.
Other wealthy donors moving to back Haley include Davis, chairman of shoe company New Balance, who donated $16,600 to the joint fundraising committee in late March. Davis and his family, which own nearly all of New Balance, have a net worth of $4.9 billion, according to Forbes.
A New Balance spokeswoman did not return requests for comment.
Leaders on Wall Street also played a role in helping Haley’s fundraising surge.
Bourkoff, the CEO of investment giant LionTree, contributed $16,600 to Team Stand for America last month. Bourkoff has a history of donating to Democrats running for office, including to Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2020 campaign and Biden’s successful run for the White House, according to data from the nonpartisan OpenSecrets. Bourkoff did not return a request for comment.
Jim Haskel, a partner at hedge fund behemoth Bridgewater Associates, gave the same amount to the committee in February.
Executives from Goldman Sachs, Susquehanna International Group, UBS Group and Tiger Management, are among the other Wall Street leaders who donated to the Haley joint fundraising committee in the first quarter.
Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/17/nikki-haley-enjoys-early-billionaire-support-in-2024-race.html