The verdict is in: Judge Judy says former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley should be president.
The Haley campaign announced the judge’s support Tuesday, less than a week before the Iowa caucuses that kick off the 2024 Republican primary season.
“Judge Judy is a no-nonsense lady who has earned the respect of millions of Americans from her courtroom by being thoughtful, fair and honest. I’m honored to have her support,” Ms. Haley said.
Judith Sheindlin, 81, is best known for her 25-year run on the “Judge Judy” daytime courtroom show in which she delivered sharp-witted quips and judgments in televised small-claims court proceedings. Now, she is the presiding judge on Amazon Freevee’s “Judy Justice” program.
She formerly served as a family court judge in Manhattan.
In her endorsement, Judge Sheindlin said Ms. Haley could “restore America” and the “future of this great nation.”
“I’m proud to endorse Nikki Haley because she is whip smart, has executive credentials and was a superb governor,” she said. “She has international gravitas as ambassador to the United Nations. She is principled, measured and has that illusive quality of real common sense.”
Ms. Haley is gathering support as she tries to catch former President Donald Trump, the clear GOP front-runner. A new CNN poll says Ms. Haley has trimmed Mr. Trump’s lead in New Hampshire to single digits, 39% to 32%.
Judge Sheindlin identifies as an independent and has supported a mix of political candidates, including Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama in 2008. She also wrote an op-ed supporting Michael Bloomberg in 2020.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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