Haley Campaign Press Release - Nikki Haley is the Tough Leader America Needs

By: Scarlett Wilson
Online here

As a career prosecutor who’s spent my entire life working to make our state safer, I know how much the tone at the top matters.

I’ve worked alongside governors, senators, congressmen, state legislators and other leaders to make South Carolina a better place to live, work and raise a family. The strongest leader I’ve worked alongside was Gov. Nikki Haley.

When South Carolina was in crisis and desperate for a leader, Gov. Haley stood in the gap time and again and held our state together. Whether it was a 1,000-year flood, a mass shooting, economic turmoil or South Carolina’s domestic violence surge, Haley led with moral clarity and compassion. She never failed to show her strength.

I watched Haley lead in both public and private as governor. I believe the rest of America is beginning to catch on to what I have known for quite some time — Haley must be the next president of the United States.

Gov. Haley and I worked together to help women suffering from domestic violence. Together, we pushed for the Domestic Violence Reform Act, sending a message that South Carolina prioritized strengthening survivors over the convenience of abusers.

The law enacted harsher penalties for offenders and an education program for students. We increased funding to ensure each domestic violence case was prosecuted by a licensed attorney and did a complete overhaul of the entire system.

Just as importantly, Haley used her leadership position to combat the cultural stigma that too often prevents victims of domestic violence from coming forward and seeking help.

In just two years, South Carolina made major strides in combating domestic violence, taking the state off its first-place pedestal for domestic violence homicides for the first time in many years.

With Haley at the helm, South Carolina prioritized safety and security for all citizens.

Haley’s commitment to justice and steady leadership didn’t stop there. When, in a matter of months, a white cop shot a fleeing black man multiple times in the back and then a white supremacist murdered nine innocent people at Mother Emanuel Church, South Carolina was rocked. I watched Nikki Haley stitch our heartbroken state back together.

The governor and I worked side-by-side during these prosecutions. Haley’s commitment to justice never wavered. With Haley at the helm, our state didn’t have riots, we had vigils. We didn’t have protests, we had hugs. During our state’s most painful moments, Haley helped our state move forward while other states facing similar crises were ripped apart by violence.

In all my years watching the leaders of our state come and go, Nikki Haley stands out for her grace and grit. Haley’s principled and strong leadership mended our state, and that makes me hopeful for what she can do for America.

Our country is divided. We need a leader who doesn’t create chaos. We need a leader who inspires the best in people and gets results.

I know Nikki Haley is that leader.

Scarlett Wilson is the 9th Circuit solicitor.