By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Nikki Haley has been called South Carolina Congresswoman, governor and ambassador. Now she’s called a Republican presidential candidate, a role that brought her to Del Rio Monday morning.
Haley served three terms in the South Carolina House of Representatives, from 2004 to 2010, and was then elected governor of the state. Haley then served as United States ambassador to the United Nations from January 2017 through 2018.
On Feb. 15, Haley announced her campaign for president and about 46 days later, found herself standing on the banks of the Rio Grande, talking to local landowners, business leaders and elected officials about border challenges.
She visited with Billy and Marshall Whaley on their property along the Rio Grande where Jimmy Murdoch, owner of Frio Distributing, was on hand as well as Randall Dissler, owner of Hinds Well Service; John King, owner of Southwest International Customs Brokers; Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez and Kinney County Judge John Paul Schuster.
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, Republican from Texas’s 23rd District where Del Rio sits, hosted her on the visit.
“I will host any serious candidate for President who is willing to see firsthand the chaos of the Biden border crisis,” Gonzales said. “This needs to be part of any presidential platform.”
The local people who shared with her gave her plenty for her platform. The Whaley’s shared how often their fence is cut, Schuster shared the impact to his county, and each had small anecdotal snippets on how they’ve been affected. Afterwards, Martinez gave her and Gonzales a tour of challenges he and his team face.
Afterwards, Haley told the small group her perspective. “No matter where I go in the country, if it’s Iowa, New Hampshire, or wherever, people are talking about the border,” she said. “They’re talking about it everywhere except in D.C.”
Marshall Whaley asked her what she’d do about the border if she was elected president. “You have to close the border,” she said.
A short video of a 2-minute and 40-second interview is here.
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Contact the author at joelalangton@gmail.com .
