Republican presidential candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has applied for Secret Service Protection, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
According to campaign officials, Haley’s increased public appearances have necessitated more security with her at events.
“When you do something like this, you get threats. It’s just a reality, and that’s okay,” Haley told reporters Thursday in Columbia. “Part of running for public life is that you’re going to deal with the threats that are there.”
During a Haley campaign stop in New Hampshire, three members of Brown’s chapter of Sunrise, a non-profit climate advocacy group, staged multiple interruptions to protest the climate policies of the Bamberg, SC native.
During an event in Columbia, Haley was interrupted by pro-Palestine protestors. According to the Independent, at least two protesters were escorted out of the room.
Haley said that the rising threats against her have not hindered her from still vying to become the 47th President of the United States.
“When you do something like this, you get threats. It’s just a reality, and that’s okay,” Haley told reporters Thursday in Columbia. “Part of running for public life is that you’re going to deal with the threats that are there.”
She reiterated that for the time being security is necessary.
“Does that mean we have to put a few more bodies around us? Yes, that’s fine. But at the end of the day, we’re going to go out there and touch every hand,” Haley said. “We’re going to answer every question. We’re going to make sure that we are there and doing everything that we need to.”
According to the Secret Service website, a person will be granted protection as a primary nominee if they have polled 15% or more for 30 consecutive days in the most recent average of national polls.
In the latest Real Clear Politics poll, Haley is currently polling at 18.8% nationally and 26.7% in South Carolina.
Third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy also applied for Secret Service protection but his request was denied, according to CNN.
