'Haley voters for Harris' ignore Nikki Haley's warning letter after she knocks group

WASHINGTON – A group of former Nikki Haley voters who are now supporting Vice President Kamala Harris' bid for the White House said Thursday they plan to ignore a letter from the former GOP presidential candidate's attorney's demanding that they stop using her name.

A letter sent on Thursday afternoon by a law firm representing the "Haley Voters for Harris" political action committee said that the group "will continue to exercise its First Amendment rights" to encourage former Haley supporters to back Harris over former President Donald Trump in the general election.

It comes in response to a Tuesday cease-and-desist letter lawyers representing Haley sent asking the group to refrain from using her name or likeness in any way that would imply she supports Harris' presidential campaign. The warning letter from the Haley campaign said that it would get authorities involved if the group tried to fundraise under the name "Haley Voters for Harris."

Haley recently endorsed Trump's reelection bid after ending her own presidential campaign earlier this year.

The PAC in it's response argued that Haley's request "demonstrates a misunderstanding" of the organization and federal law. It suggests that the title of the group "Haley Voters for Harris" identifies that it represents the views of her former supporters ? not her. The group says its website has a disclaimer noting that its views may not reflect the views of Haley or Harris. Group members say that means they're well within their rights.

"Neither Ambassador Haley nor Nikki Haley for President Inc. will be successful in any purported civil claims," it further argues. "Ambassador Haley is a public figure on matters of public concern."

The group goes on to say that it has tried to respect the former United Nations ambassador and asks that Haley "show the same respect for all of her supporters to make up their minds and use their voices to improve the country."

Haley in a statement Tuesday said she and Harris were "total opposites on every issue."

"Any attempt to use my name to support her or her agenda is deceptive and wrong," Haley added. "I support Donald Trump because he understands we need to make America strong, safe, and prosperous."

The PAC of former Haley supporters switched its name from "Haley Voters for Biden" shortly after Biden dropped out of the 2024 race and the vice president announced her campaign for the presidency. So far this election cycle, it has raised more than $230,000, according to campaign finance filings through the end of June.

The group calls itself an “outgrowth” of the nonprofit Primary Pivot – which organized to motivate Democrats and Independents to vote for Haley during the GOP primary.

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY; Savannah Moss, Greenville News

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Haley voters for Harris' ignore Nikki Haley's cease-and-desist