Gov. Haley named to Time’s 100 most influential list

After she rose to national prominence with her handling of a series of tragedies last year, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on Thursday.

Under the headline “She rises to the challenge,” one of her allies, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Seneca, wrote about how well Haley handled a tumultuous 2015.

“Whether dealing with the hate-filled shootings of the Charleston Nine at Mother Emanuel AME Church, the removal of the Confederate battle flag flying over statehouse grounds, the police shooting of Walter Scott or a 1,000-year flood, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley led with determination, grace and compassion,” Graham wrote. “From shaking up the system to providing kindness and understanding to the individuals and families affected by these tragedies, she put a face on South Carolina that we were all extremely proud of.

“It is during challenging times when you really learn the mettle of a leader, and in the case of Nikki Haley, she excelled to the lasting benefit of our state.”

Halley’s press secretary Chaney Adams said the state has shown its resiliency in the past year.

"This is about the people of South Carolina stepping up, turning a year of tragedy into a year of faith," Adams said

The Lexington Republican was listed between Jin Liqun, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Haley, the nation’s youngest governor, also was named to Fortune magazine’s 50 greatest world leaders in March.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 9:44 AM with the headline "Gov. Haley named to Time’s 100 most influential list."