Culture January 29, 2020

'Journeys of Faith with Paula Faris': Nikki Haley on the Sikh faith, running for president

Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley speaks during a UN Security Council meeting, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, April 14, 2018.

On a special season of "Journeys of Faith," ABC News' Paula Faris sits down with 2020 presidential candidates and other political figures to discuss how faith and religion have shaped their politics. In this episode, Paula speaks with former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

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Here is Paula, in her own words, about the episode.

Nikki Haley is widely expected to run for president in the future.

On this episode of “Journeys of Faith,” the former governor of South Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says, “I know people want me to, and I know that it's fun chatter for a lot of people. But saying it and doing it are two different things. It's very hard to run for president.”

She explains how her faith would inform her decision to run as well as the role her family would play. She also addresses the rumors that she would replace Vice President Mike Pence on the 2020 ticket, saying, “It was frustrating because there was a lot of chatter.”

Haley dives into what it was like growing up as an Indian American in rural South Carolina and being raised in the Sikh faith, which she describes as a “very kind, peaceful faith” that focuses on "respect for parents, respect for family, love of all people, respect for all people.” She also shares why she ultimately converted to Christianity – and the moment her faith was tested the most.

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