Nikki Haley to headline hog-filled fundraiser in early primary state

Nikki Haley is hitting the campaign trail in another early voting state, stumping for another Republican woman known for her firsts in politics.

The former S.C. governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations will headline a fundraiser next month, joining U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, at Ernst’s annual Roast and Ride fundraiser in Iowa June 15.

Haley — whose national stardom has led to speaking gigs, a new book deal and speculation about her own White House ambitions — will be in prominent GOP company at the Iowa event.

Past iterations of Ernst’s fundraiser have featured President Donald Trump and South Carolina’s U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (who gave Ernst a castration tool as a gift after she won her 2014 election) and former Republican U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy.

The Ernst fundraiser begins with a motorcycle ride from Des Moines to Boone, and features barbecue, entertainment and a lineup of speakers that includes Haley, Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and fellow Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.

Ernst, who became the first woman to serve in federal elected office from Iowa and the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, is seeking re-election to her second term in 2020.

“I’m so excited to be supporting Joni, and I can’t wait to see all the Harley riders and go see everybody in Iowa,” said Haley, who in 2011 became South Carolina’s first female and minority governor, in a video announcement posted on Ernst’s Twitter account. “We’re going to have a blast.”

Now you can track 2020 Democrats in SC

It’s tough to follow where each 2020 presidential candidate has stumped in South Carolina, especially with more than 20 White House hopefuls on the Democratic side alone.

That is why we have created an easy to follow 2020 presidential candidate tracker, showing you exactly the places where the candidates have been as they’ve trekked through the Palmetto State — from fish fries, to college campuses and community centers.

Find it online at The State’s scpolitics.com.

2020 visits to SC this week

As of Sunday, only one 2020 candidate had scheduled campaign time in South Carolina. U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris will join the NAACP S.C. Chapter at their annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday in West Columbia.

More than a dozen candidates will be back in South Carolina later this month for the Black Economic Alliance presidential forum on June 15 in Charleston and the S.C. Democratic Party’s convention in Columbia on June 22.

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