Nikki Haley opens up to gathering of Gen Z GOP leaders in Iowa: ‘Push through the fear’

DES MOINES, Iowa — Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley opened up to a gathering of young Republicans running for office on Friday night, urging them to “push through the fear” and to “trust your gut” 10 days ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

Haley appeared alongside Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH) at their first event together in Iowa since he endorsed her last month. During the event, Sununu interviewed Haley in front of a dinner event hosted by Run Gen Z, a group dedicated to empowering young Republicans to run for office. The dinner event included young leaders from around the country.

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“If I didn’t push through the fear, I wouldn’t be running for president. But, when you push through the fear, that’s when the magic happens,” Haley said, answering a prompt from Sununu.

The former South Carolina governor reflected on her 2004 victory when she ran for the state legislature in a conservative district in Lexington County. She was able to unseat Larry Koon, the longest-serving member in the Statehouse who had deep roots in the state.

“He was related to half the district; truly, he was related to half the district. And it’s not always what you do; it’s how you do it,” Haley said. “Do the things that are uncomfortable to do. None of that was comfortable.”

She also advised young Republicans in the crowd that the key to success is to maintain a work-life balance.

“I don’t live, eat, and breathe politics all the time. I don’t. I like to be normal. And so I like to have fun. I like to joke around,” Haley said. “ You know, when I’m at home, I’m not watching the news. I’m under a blanket with a glass of bubbles, and I’m watching a movie with my husband. That’s what we do.”

“You have to have a normal life and your work life, and that balance will make you better,” she added.

After facing criticism over a comment she made to a New Hampshire audience suggesting Iowa “starts” the election process and New Hampshire will “correct it,” Haley attempted to do more damage control on Friday night.

“I find Iowans to be very patriotic, very hardworking, and very careful. You’re very conscious about who they give their support to and what that means,” she said. “They want to see you a lot; they want to ask you questions.”

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“It reminds me a lot of South Carolina because I grew up in rural South Carolina. So whenever I see farmland, that’s peace to me. That feels like home. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Sununu will join Haley at three town hall events over the weekend. The first voters will decide who they want as the GOP nominee during the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses. Former President Donald Trump consistently leads his rivals in national and early nominating state polling. A RealClearPolitics average shows Trump at 62.7%, Haley at 11%, and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) at 10.9%.