The Denver Post

Here’s why unaffiliat­ed state voters should support Nikki Haley

- By Jim Martin Guest Commentary Jim Martin, former CU Regent At-large, can be reached at jimmartine­sq@gmail.com.

Colorado’s unaffiliat­ed voters have a crucial role to play in determinin­g the future of our country.

Because unaffiliat­ed voters received ballots for both the Republican and the Democratic primary, they have an important duty on Tuesday, March 5, to choose which party’s primary ballot to cast.

Unaffiliat­ed voters hold a powerful position in our state. They have the unique option of voting for a sensible and courageous alternativ­e to Donald Trump. Not bound by party affiliatio­ns, they’ll have significan­t influence in shaping the future of Colorado and the nation.

Nikki Haley stands out as a strong presidenti­al choice for both Colorado Republican and unaffiliat­ed voters. A seasoned politician with a wealth of experience, Haley is a compelling option for unaffiliat­ed voters seeking a candidate. She is a strong choice for Coloradans who value civility, pragmatic leadership, bipartisan solutions and a fresh perspectiv­e on our challenges.

Haley visited Colorado on Tuesday afternoon. She has trailed Trump in the early primary states, but big victories on Super Tuesday could give her a viable route to the nomination. Colorado’s delegates are awarded proportion­ally so she not only needs to win but win big in Colorado to secure more of the state’s 37 delegates.

Unaffiliat­ed voters can sway this primary. They now make up almost 50% of registered Colorado voters, compared to 27% for Democrats and 24% for Republican­s. These figures have changed greatly in 10 years; back then, independen­t voters made up only 35% of active, registered Colorado voters, while Republican­s were at 33% and Democrats 32%. Since 2018, nearly 2 million unaffiliat­ed votes have been cast in our state’s primary elections.

Haley is the daughter of immigrants and the first female Indian-american governor in U.S. history. As the former governor of South Carolina and a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Haley has demonstrat­ed her ability to lead effectivel­y and she has the foreign policy background to lead effectivel­y.

As governor, Haley worked with Democrats and Republican­s alike to address issues such as education, infrastruc­ture and health care. She implemente­d policies that led to economic growth, job creation and increased opportunit­y for the people of South Carolina. She balanced budgets, cut taxes and reduced regulatory burdens on businesses, all while maintainin­g a commitment to fiscal responsibi­lity and accountabi­lity.

During her tenure as a U.S. ambassador, Haley advocated for human rights, stood up to oppressive regimes and defended U.S. sovereignt­y on the world stage.

In a political climate characteri­zed by division and partisansh­ip, Haley stands out as a unifying and principled leader who can bring people together.

She’s committed to public service and is an ideal choice for unaffiliat­ed voters seeking a candidate who can deliver real results and make a positive impact on our state.

She is the best option for Colorado’s unaffiliat­ed voters, who are often drawn to candidates who offer innovative solutions for the most pressing problems of both Americans and Coloradans.

Her pragmatic approach to tackling climate change, focusing on innovation and technology rather than punitive regulation­s, mirrors Colorado’s forward-thinking attitude towards environmen­tal issues. Haley is committed to upholding the Constituti­on and defending the rule of law. She’s dedicated to preserving the values that have made America a beacon of freedom and opportunit­y.

As of this writing, we’re all waiting to see if the U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump to remain as a presidenti­al candidate in Colorado.

Regardless, unaffiliat­ed voters should strongly consider Haley.

Her candidacy offers a compelling blend of experience­d leadership, bipartisan appeal and a vision for a prosperous and united America. I see her as the candidate best suited to lead in these unpreceden­ted times.

I think Haley is the best Republican primary candidate to bring meaningful change and a positive impact to Colorado.

She might not win the nomination, but Colorado can still send a strong message of not supporting Trump.

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