IOWA CITY, Iowa — Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley lastly obtained her want to see Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark, catching the fourth-ranked Hawkeyes in between marketing campaign stops Saturday.
Haley walked into Carver-Hawkeye Arena alongside her son, Nalin, carrying an Iowa button on her jacket. The former South Carolina governor referred to as Iowa coach Lisa Bluder a “rock star” and made a reference to her home-state Gamecocks, the present No. 1 group.
“We are used to women’s basketball in South Carolina,” Haley mentioned. “We’re excited, so glad to be here. Go Lady Hawkeyes.” Last March, in an NCAA match semifinal, Clark scored 41 factors as Iowa ended the right season of defending champion South Carolina.
Haley and her son sat with David Bluder, the coach’s husband.
Even as some followers approached Haley as she took her seat, all eyes have been on Clark, the reigning Associated Press nationwide participant of the 12 months.
Clark, who has earned fame and fortune along with her once-in-a-generation sport, has about 20,000 extra followers on Instagram than does Haley, a former U.N. ambassador.
Earlier Saturday, at an look in Coralville, Haley flubbed the Iowa star’s title, calling her “Caitlin Collins,” maybe with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in thoughts.
But there’s little doubt Haley is aware of all about Clark. During a cease in Ankeny in November, Haley mentioned that if there was a strategy to get to a sport and meet Clark, she can be there.
On the marketing campaign entrance, Haley is hoping to construct on momentum because the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses method, battling Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for what could quantity to a second-place end. Former President Donald Trump continues to be a commanding power within the celebration, irritating some Iowa voters who desire a extra aggressive race.
