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March 6 (UPI) -- Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign on Wednesday. Haley made the announcement in Charleston, S.C., at 10 a.m. EST. She wished former President Donald Trump well in the race but stopped short of giving him her endorsement.
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"In all likelihood, Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee when our party convention meets in July. I congratulate him and wish him well," Haley said. "I wish anyone well who would be America's president. Our country is too precious to let our differences divide us."
Haley said Trump's next challenge will be to bring aboard voters who did not vote for him in the primary cycle. Haley encouraged Trump to "earn the support" of Republicans and independent voters who supported her campaign.
The South Carolina Republican Party released a statement after Haley's announcement, calling for her to endorse Trump.
"It's beyond time for all Republicans to come together and unite behind President Donald Trump in order to beat Democrats up and down the ballot in November," Drew McKissick, party chairman, said in a statement.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Haley "has a lot to be proud of," following her campaign.
"She has created many firsts in her quest for the Republican nomination and has acquired a significant following," Graham tweeted. "I believe her decision to suspend her campaign is in the best interest of the party and is a chance to reset the 2024 presidential contest."
Haley won primaries in the District of Columbia and Vermont. She is the first woman to win two Republican primaries. While Trump's wins in other states were sizeable, more than 3.1 million people cast votes for Haley.
"I end my campaign with the same words I began it from the Book of Joshua," Haley said. "I direct them to all Americans, but especially to so many of the women and girls out there who put their faith in our campaign. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For God will be with you wherever you go."
Trump reveled in Haley's defeat as she was speaking in a post on social media.
"Nikki Haley got TROUNCED last night, in record setting fashion," Trump posted. "I hope she stays in the 'race' and fights it out until the end!"
Trump had called for Haley to end her campaign as early as the first four nominating contests. On Wednesday, he went on to invite Haley supporters to back him.
President Joe Biden also invited Haley supporters to give their support to him, saying Haley showed "a lot of courage."
"Nikki Haley was willing to speak the truth about Trump: about the chaos that always follows him, about his inability to see right from wrong, about his cowering before Vladimir Putin," Biden said. "Donald Trump made it clear he doesn't want Nikki Haley's supporters. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign."
"I know there is a lot we won't agree on," Biden said in the statement shared in an email from his campaign. "But on the fundamental issues of preserving American democracy, on standing up for the rule of law, on treating each other with decency and dignity and respect, on preserving NATO and standing up to America's adversaries, I hope and believe we can find common ground."
On Sunday, Haley had secured her first primary victory, in the District of Columbia, becoming the first woman to win a Republican primary race for president.
However, Trump made nearly a clean sweep in Super Tuesday primaries, only losing Vermont to Haley.
"They call it 'Super Tuesday' for a reason. This is a big one," Trump said following the victories. "And they tell me, the pundits and otherwise, that there's never been one like this. There's never been one so conclusive."
